Our  Catechism 


United  Brethren  in  Christ 


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OUR  CATECHISM 


A  MANUAL  OF  CHRISTIAN  TEACHING  FOR  USE  IN  THE 
FAMILIES,  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS,  JUNIOR  SOCIETIES, 
AND  JUVENILE  MISSIONARY  AND  TEMPER- 
ANCE ORGANIZATIONS 


United  Brethren  in  Christ 


FEB  11  1953 

BY  MARION  R.  DRURY.  J^^^^g/j^L  8i^ 


DAYTON,  OHIO 
United  Brkthken  Publishing  House 

1897 


ACTION  OF  THE  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1897. 

That  the  General  Conference  authorize  the  trustees  of  the 
Printing  Establishment  to  have  prepared  and  published  a 
Church  catechism  that  shall  cover  Bible  history  and  teaching, 
and  ovir  Church  history,  doctrines,  and  government,  and  that 
it  be  published  at  the  earliest  convenience. 


ACTION  OF  THE  BOOK  COMMITTEE. 

We,  the  Book  Committee  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
having  carefully  examined  the  manuscript  submitted  to  us  by 
Rev.  M.  R.  Drury,  D.D.,  find  the  subject  matter  to  be.  In  our 
judgment,  just  such  a  catechism  as  was  ordered  by  the  General 
Conference,  and  believe  the  same  to  be  well  adapted,  as  such, 
to  meet  the  demands  and  foster  the  best  interests  of  our 
Church,  and,  therefore,  give  to  it  our  hearty  approval. 

I.  L.  Kephart. 

H.  A.  Thompson. 

E.    LOKENZ. 

W.  R.  Funk. 


Copiiright,  1897, 

By  The  United  Bkethhex  Publishing  House, 

Dayton,  Ohio. 


PREFACE. 


For  many  years  there  has  been  a  growing  demand  among 
pastors  and  other  religious  teachers  in  tlie  United  Brethren 
Church  for  a  catechism,  to  be  used  in  the  Cliristian  instruction 
and  training  of  the  ciiildren  and  young  people  of  the  denom- 
ination. This  demand  took  definite  shape  and.  found  specific 
expression  at  the  General  Conference  held  at  Toledo,  Iowa,  in 
May,  1897,  when  a  catechism  was  authorized  to  embrace  both  a 
manual  of  Bible  history  and  teaching  and  the  history  and 
doctrines  of  the  Church.  With  a  view  to  meet  these  ends  this 
manual  has  been  prepared.  It  is  intended  for  use  by  parents, 
Sunday-school  teachers,  pastors,  and  other  leaders  of  juvenile 
Christian  societies. 

The  word  "catechism"  has  a  well-understood  meaning,  and 
yet  many  seem  to  have  a  strong  aversion  to  it.  It  has  reference 
to  a  form  of  teaching  by  means  of  questions  and  answers.  A 
catechism  contains  a  summary  of  elementary  principles  or  teach- 
ings reduced  to  this  form.  A  church  catechism  would  be  a 
manual  containing  a  summary  of  the  essential  teachings  of  a 
religious  denomination. 

The  object  of  catechetical  instruction  is  not  thereby  merely 
to  fit  those  taught  for  church  membership,  but  to  give  them  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  our  holy 
religion.  They  cannot  be  educated  into  the  kingdom  of  God; 
they  must  be  born  into  it  by  the  agency  of  the  word  of  God  and 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  having  been  converted,  or  with  a  view  to 
their  early  conversion,  children  will  be  greatly  benefited  by  care- 
ful instruction  in  the  essential  doctrines  of  the  Bible  and  the 
Church.  In  the  times  of  Christ  and  the  apostles,  and  in  the  prim- 
itive church,  this  was  a  common  method  of  teaching.  That 
teaching  by  means  of  questions  and  answers  is  an  efiective  way 
of  inculcating  truth  no  successful  teacher  of  the  young  has  any 
doubt.  The  church  of  to-day,  while  guarding  well  against  its  pos- 
sible abuses,  will  do  well  more  generally  to  avail  itself  of  the  help- 
ful aid  of  the  catechism.  This  is  especially  true  in  view  of  the 
widely  prevalent  interest  that  distinguishes  this  age  in  the  organ- 
ization of  juvenile  societies  for  Christian  instruction  and  culture. 
Catechetical  teaching  is,  therefore,  not  to  be  regarded  so  much  as 
an  end  as  it  is  a  means  to  that  thorough  grounding  in  the  truth 
that  is  so  potent  in  promoting  intelligent  Christian  living. 

A  church  catechism  of  practical  value  must  necessarily  be  lim- 
ited in  size  and  contents.    It  would,  however,  be  essentially  lack- 

lii 


iV  PREFACE 

iug  in  merit  if  ic  did  not  contain  the  leading  trutlis  which  lie  at 
the  foundation  of  all  Christian  belief.  These  are,  for  example, 
the  doctrines  concerning  God,  concerning  the  person  and  work  of 
Jesus  Christ,  concerning  the  office  and  ministry  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  concerning  man's  nature  and  need  and  destiny,  concerning 
the  way  of  salvation  — what  it  is  to  be  a  Christian,  concerning 
prayer,  and  concerning  the  privileges  and  benefits  which  are  en- 
joyed by  the  true  children  of  God, 

Dr.  J.  R.  Miller,  an  exceedingly  helpful  writer  for  young  people, 
in  referring  to  the  importance  and  necessity  of  doctrines  in  the 
religious  training  of  the  young  in  the  upbuilding  of  their  charac- 
ter and  life,  well  says:  " It  should  begin  in  the  home.  It  may  be 
well  to  have  a  revival  of  catechism  teaching.  Suppose  the  chil- 
dren do  not  now  understand  the  statements  of  truth  in  the  an- 
swers, if  the  words  are  put  into  their  memory  they  will  stay  there 
and  will  shape  their  thoughts  for  all  life.  In  the  Sunday  school, 
too,  teachers  may  with  profit  spend  a  portion  of  every  lesson 
period  in  setting  forth  some  doctrine  which  lies  in  the  passage,  or 
is  suggested  by  it." 

If  this  manual  shall  prove  of  real  service  to  parents  and 
teachers  in  training  the  young  to  be  strong,  vigorous,  and  stable 
Christians,  the  end  sought  in  its  preparation  will  have  a  happy 
realization.  It  is  the  author's  uppermost  wish  that  it  may 
accomplish  at  least  a  humble  part  in  advancing  Christ's  king- 
dom in  the  earth. 

M.  R.  D. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  August,  1897. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Preface, iii 

Suggestions  to  Teachers,     ----..._-  vii 

PART  I. 
THE  BIBLE. 

CHAPTER 

I.    Bible  History, 9 

1.  Tbe  Old  Testament,  ---.-.-  9 

2.  The  New  Testament, 13 

II.    Bible  Teachings, 15 

1.  About  God, 15 

2.  About  Man, 15 

3.  About  Christ, 17 

4.  About  Salvation, 18 

5.  About  Christian  Living, 19 

(1)  The  Ten  Commandments,  -       -       -       -  20 

(2)  Prayer, 22 

6.  About  Death  and  Eternity, 25 

PART   II. 
THE  CHURCH. 

III.  The  Church  of  Christ, 26 

IV.  The  United  Brethren  Church, 28 

1.  Outline  History, 28 

2.  Special  Privileges  and  Duties,       -       -       -       -  29 

3.  The  Confession  of  Faith, 30 

PART  111. 

MISSIONS. 

V.    Origin  and  Progress  of  Christian  Missions,        -  35 

VI.    Missions  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,    -       -  37 

L    The  General  Board, 37 

(1)  Africa, 37 

(2)  Germany, :iS 

(S)    Japan,        -.--,--..  38 

(4)    Home  Missions, 39 

V 


Vi  CONTENTS 

2.    The  Woman's  Missionary  Association,      -       -  30 

(1)  Africa, 3"J 

(2)  China, 40 

(3)  Portland,  Oregon, 41 

VII.    Missionary  Giving, 42 


PART  IV. 
TEMPERANCE. 

VIII.    What  Temperance  Is, 43 

(1)  Alcoholic  Drinks  and  Their  Fruits,-       -       -  43 

(2)  Results  of  Abstinence, 44 

(3)  The  Church  and  Temperance,    -       -       -       -  45 

(4)  Tobacco, 45 

IX.    The  Bible  and  Temperance, 47 

X.    Pledges, 50 

1.  Anti -Saloon  Pledge, 50 

2.  The  Triple  Pledge,      -------  50 

3.  Anti-Cigarette  Pledge, 50 


PART  V. 
SUPPLEMENTAL  LESSONS. 

XL    Memory  Passages,        --------  51 

1.  The  Beatitudes,  --- 51 

2.  The  First  Psalm, 51 

3.  The  Eighth  Psalm, 52 

4.  The  Twenty-third  Psalm, 52 

5.  The  Love  Chapter,     -------53 

6.  The  Ten  Commandments,       -----  53 

7.  Wisdom  for  the  Young, 54 

XII.    Prayers, 56 

1.  The  Lord's  Prayer, 56 

2.  A  Child's  Evening  Prayer, 56 

3.  Childhood's  Prayer, 56 

4.  An  Evening  Prayer,          ------  57 

5.  A  Morning  Prayer,    -       - 5S 

6.  An  Evening  Prayer, 58 

Appendix— Constitution  Foi^  Junior  Society,     -       -       -  59 


SUGGESTIONS  TO  TEACHERS. 


Pastors,  superintendents  of  Junior  societiofs,  and  other 
teachers  who  use  this  catechism  will  tind  it  necessary  to  adapt 
their  teaching  to  the  children  composing  their  classes,  Many 
questions  will  need  fuller  answers  than  those  given.  For 
example,  the  questions  in  Bible  history  should  )ye  accompanied 
with  a  fuller  ace  nint  of  the  leading  characters  named  than  is 
given.  This  w'  .  require  careful  preparation  in  order  that  the 
lessons  may  '      made  interesting  and  profitable. 

When  the  doctrines  of  sin,  Christ,  and  salvation  are  studied, 
an  etlbrt  should  be  made  to  lead  all  the  children  taught  to  a 
personal  acceptance  of  Christ  as  their  Saviour.  Do  not  make  the 
lessons  too  long,  but  seek  to  have  the  children  learn  M-ell  what- 
ever is  undertaken.  There  are  many  things  that  very  young 
Children  will  not  understand.  Make  these  as  plain  as  you  can, 
but  seek  to  have  all  learn  word  for  word  the  answers  to  all 
questions. 

The  catechism  on  the  Church,  Missions,  and  Temperance  can  be 
made  very  interesting  if  teachers  will  thoroughly  prepare  them- 
selves for  their  work.  If  an  additional  catechism  on  temperance 
is  desired,  that  prepared  by  Julia  Coleman,  Bible  House,  New 
York  (price,  five  cents),  will  be  found  very  suggestive  and  help- 
ful. The  United  Brethren  Handbook  will  also  prove  of  great 
value  in  the  hands  of  teachers. 

The  memory  passages  in  the  Supplemental  Lessons  may  mostly 
be  used  as  responsive  readings,  if  so  desired.  Let  the  children, 
however,  commit  the  psalms  named,  the  thirteenth  chapter  of 
I.  Corinthians,  and  the  Ten  Commandments  to  memory,  so  that 
they  can  recite  them  without  prompting.  Let  them  also  commit 
to  memory  the  prayers,  that  they  may  use  them  as  their  own. 

Remember,  the  value  of  the  catechism  will  depend  chiefly  on 
those  who  use  it  as  teachers.  Let  parents  and  all  others  who 
undertake  to  teach  its  lessons  to  the  children  under  their  care 
seek  divine  wisdom,  that  their  work  may  be  fruitful  in  leading 
the  tender  lambs  of  the  home  and  the  Church  to  perfect  rest  and 
security  in  the  fold  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 


OUR  CATECHISM. 

PART   1. 
The  Bible. 

CHAPTER  I. 
BIBLE    HISTORY. 

1.  What  is  the  best  hook  in  the  world  f 
The  Holy  Bible. 

2.  Why  is  it  better  than  other  books? 

Because  God  is  its  author,  and  because  it  teaches  us 
important  lessons  which  we  find  nowhere  else. 

3.  Hoiv  did  God  give  the  Bible  to  man? 

He  inspired  good  men  to  write  it.     (H.  Tim.  3:  16. ) 

y-d?.     What  is  the  Bible? 

It  is  the  revelation  of  the  truth  of  God  and  a  record 
of  the  will  of  God. 

5.  Of  what  does  the  Bible  give  the  history  ? 

The  Bible  gives  the  historj'  of  God's  dealings  with 
men  while  teaching  them  his  holy  will. 

6.  Into  what  two  principal  parts  is  the  Bible  divided  ? 
The  Old  and  the  Xew  Testament. 

1.    The  Old  Testament. 

7.  I?ito  how  many  books  or  parts  is  the  Old  Testament 
divided  ? 

Thirty-nine. 

8.  What  are  the  first  five  books,  and  ivhat  are  they 
called  ? 

They  are  Genesis,   Exodus,   Leviticus,  Numbers,  and 


10  OUR  CATECHISM 

Deuterouomy,  aud  they  are  called  the  Pentateuch,  or 
the  five  books  of  Moses. 

9.  What  are  the  next  twelve  books  called? 

They  are  the  historical  books,  aud  are  Joshua,  Judges, 
Ruth,  I.  aud  II.  Samuel,  I.  and  II.  Kiugs,  I.  and  II. 
Chronicles,  Ezra,  Nehemiah,  and  Esther. 

10.  What  are  the  five  books  that  follow  f 

They  are  the  poetical  books  —  Job,  Psalms,  Proverbs, 
Ecclesiastes,  the  Song  of  Solomon. 

11.  What  are  the  remaining  books  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment called? 

The  books  of  the  iDrophets. 

12.  Into  what  two  classes  are  these  divided'? 
The  major  and  minor  prophets. 

13.  Which  are  the  major  prophets  ? 

Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Lamentations,  Ezekiel,  Daniel, — 
five. 

14.  Which  are  the  7ninor  pi^ophets? 

Hosea,  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah,  Jonah,  Micah,  Nahum, 
Habakkuk,  Zephaniah,  Haggai,  Zechariah,  Malachi, — 
twelve. 

15.  With  what  event  does  the  history  of  the  Bible 
begin  ? 

The  creation  of  man  nearly  six  thousand  years  ago. 
{  Gen.  1 :  26. )    ' 

16.  Who  are  some  of  the  most  prominent  men  7nen- 
tioned  in  the  Old  Testament? 

Adam,  Enoch,  Noah,  Abraham,  Jacob,  Joseph,  Moses, 
Joshua,  Gideon,  Samuel,  David,  Solomon,  Elijah,  Isaiah, 
and  Daniel. 

17.  Who  2vas  Adam  ? 

He  was  the  first  man.     ( Gen.  2:7.) 

18.  Who  was  Enoch? 

He  was  a  good  man  who  walked  M'ith  God  and  was 
taken  to  heaven  without  dyiug.     (  Gen.  5  :  24. ) 


BIBLE   HLSTOKV  11 

19.  Who  was  Noah  ? 

He  was  a  preacher  of  righteousness  at  a  time  when 
there  was  great  wickedness  in  the  world.     (  Gen.  (> :  5,  8. ) 

20.  What  wonderful  event  occurred  during  ^Yo«//'.s- 
lifetime  ? 

God  sent  a  great  flood  upon  the  earth  that  destroye<l  all 
the  people  except  Noah  and  his  family.    (  Gen,  6:17.) 

21.  Who  was  Abraham  ? 

He  was  a  man  of  great  faith  in  God  and  was  called 
the  friend  of  God.     (  Gcu.  15:6;  Jas.  2 :  23. ) 

22.  Who  was  Jctcob? 

He  was  the  prince  of  God,  and  from  him  sprang  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel.     (  Gen.  32 :  28. ) 

23.  Who  2vas  Joseph  ? 

He  was  the  favorite  son  of  Jacob,  was  sold  by  his 
brothers  to  be  a  slave  in  Egypt,  and  there  he  became 
the  preserver  of  his  people.     (  Gen.  37  :  2;  47  :  11. ) 

24:.   .  Who  teas  Moses  ? 

He  was  the  founder  of  the  Hebrew  nation,  and  was 
its  leader  and  lawgiver  for  a  period  of  forty  j'ears.  (  Ex. 
2:10;  3:10. ) 

25.  Who  ivas  Joshua? 

He  was  the  successor  of  Moses,  and  led  the  people  of 
Israel  across  the  Jordan  into  the  promised  land  of 
Canaan.     (  Xum.  27  :  18 ;  Josh.  1:1,2.) 

26.  Who  icas  Gideon? 

He  was  one  of  the  greatest  of  the  judges,  and  won  a 
great  battle  with  only  three  hundred  men.  (  Judg.  (> :  11 , 
12;  7:18,  19.) 

21.     WJio  was  ScimueU 

He  was  the  last  and  the  most  honored  of  the  judges, 
Laving  been  consecrated  to  the  Lord  from  the  time  he 
was  a  little  child.     ( I.  Sam.  1 :  20 ;  7:15.) 

28.     Who  ims  David? 

He  was  the  second  king  of  Israel,  and  the  writer  of 
most  of  the  Psalms.     (I.  Sam.  17:  12-14;  II.  Sam.  2:  4.  ) 


12  OUR  CATECHISM 

29.  Who  was  Solomon  f 

He  was  the  son  of  David,  and  a  very  wise  and  rich 
king,  but  he  did  not  rule  to  please  God.     ( I.  Ki.  1 :  33,  34. ) 

30.  Who  ivas  Elijahf 

He  was  a  prophet  of  the  Lord,  and,  hke  Enoch,  was 
taken  to  heaven  without  death.  ( I.  Ki.  17 :  1 ;  H.  Kiy 
2:11.) 

31.  Who  was  Isaiah  f 

He  was  the  greatest  of  the  prophets,  and  wrote  much 
about  Christ  seven  hundred  years  before  he  came  into 
the  world.     ( Isa.  1:1.) 

32.  }V7io  was  Daniel  f 

He  was  a  brave  and  true  temperance  boy,  and  when  he 
became  a  man  he  was  a  prophet  of  the  Lord,  and 
because  he  prayed  daily  to  his  God  he  was  cast  into  a 
den  of  lions.     (  Dan.  1 :  8 ;  6 :  16. ) 

33.  Who  are  some  of  the  most  noted  luomen  mentio?ied 
in  the  Old  Testament? 

Miriam,  Ruth,  Hannah,  and  Esther, 

34.  Who  ivas  Miriamf 

She  was  the  sister  of  Moses,  and  she  sang  a  beautiful 
song  of  praise  to  God  after  the  people  of  Israel  had 
crossed  the  Red  Sea.     (Ex.  15:  20,  21. ) 

35.  Who  was  Ruthf 

She  was  a  Moabitess  who  through  her  mother-in-law, 
Naomi,  learned  to  love  God  and  his  people,  and  who  was 
afterwards  greatly  honored  of  the  Lord.     ( Ruth  1:1-4.) 

36.  Who  was  Hannah  f 

She  was  the  mother  of  the  good  judge,  Samuel.  (L 
Sam.  1  :  20. ) 

31.     Who  ivas  Esther? 

She  was  a  Jewish  woman,  the  wife  of  the  king  of 
Persia,  and  at  one  time  she  risked  her  own  life  to  save 
the  lives  of  her  people.     (  Esth.  2  :  17;  4:  16. ) 

38.     How  many  years  does  the  history  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment  emhixiee? 
Over  four  thousand. 


bible  history  13 

2.    The  New  Testament 

39.  Into  how  many  imrts  or  books  is  the  New  Testament 
iivided  ? 

Twenty-seven. 

40.  Into  what  three  classes  are  these  divided  f 
Into  historical,  doctrinal,  and  prophetical  books. 

41.  Which  of  these  are  the  historical  books? 
Matthew,   Mark,   Luke,    John,   and  the  Acts  of   the 

i^postles,  —  five. 

42.  Which  are  the  doctrinal  books  f 
Romans,  I.  and  II.  Corinthians,  Galatians,  Ephesians, 

Philippians,  Colossian.s,  I.  and  II.  Thessalonians,  I.  and 
[I.  Timothy,  Titus,  Philemon,  Hebrews,  .lames,  I.  and 
[I,  Peter,  I.,  II.,  aud  III.  John,  and  Jude,  —  twenty-one. 

43.  Which  is  the  only  prophetical  book? 
Eevelation,  the  last  book  in  the  P>ible. 

44.  With  what  event  does  New  Testament  history  begin  f 
The  birth  of  Jesus  Christ.     ( Matt.  2:1.) 

45.  ]V7io  is  Jesus  Christ  f 

The  only  begotten  Son  of  God.     ( .Tolm  1 :  14. ) 

46.  What  books  contain  his  history? 
Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  and  John. 

47.  What  are  these  books  called  f 
The  four  Gospels. 

48.  Why  are  they  so  called? 

Because  they  contain  the  record  of  the  life,  works,  and 
[cachings  of  Jesus. 

49.  Wliat  are  the  chief  events  in  his  life? 
His  presentation  in  the  temple  when  he  was  eight  days 

old,  his  visit  to  Jerusalem  at  the  age  of  twelve,  his  bap- 
tism at  the  age  of  thirty,  his  crucifixion  at  the  age  of 
thirty-three,  his  resurrection  and  ascension. 

50.  By  whom  was  Jesus  baptized? 
John  the  Baptist,  who  was  the  forerunner  of  Jesus. 

[  Matt.  3 :  13. )  * 


14  OUR  CATECHISM 

51.  What  are  some  of  the  chief  things  Jesus  did  durhuj 
his  public  ministry  f 

He  taught  the  people,  healed  the  sick,  cast  out  evil 
spirits,  and  raised  the  dead  to  life. 

62.  Whom  did  he  choose  and  send  out  to  preach  ///s- 
gospel  1^ 

Twelve  apostles,     i  ]Mark  3  :  14. ) 

53.     What  are  their  names) 

Peter,  James,  John,  Andrew,  Philip,  Bartholomew, 
Matthew,  Thomas,  James  the  Less,  Thaddseus,  Simon 
the  Canaanite,  and  Judas  Iscariot.     ( Mark  3 :  16-19. ) 

5i.  Wiat  was  the  great  commission  Jesus  gave  to  these 
tivelve  men  f 

"Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature  "  ( Mark  16  :  15  ). 

55.  Who  tvas  afterwards  ccdlcd  to  be  an  apostle  "^ 
Paul. 

56.  ^]ll0  were  the  two  chief  preachei'S  in  the  apostolic 
band .? 

Peter  and  PauL 

57.  What  great  work  did  Peter  do) 

He  preached  a  sermon  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  that 
resulted  in  the  conversion  of  three  thousand  souls. 
( Acts  2. ) 

58.  For  ivhat  is  Paul  noted) 

As  the  apostle  to  the  Gentiles  and  the  first  foreign 
missionary.     ( Acts  21 :  19  ;  16:9.) 

59.  How  long  a  period  is  included  in  the  history  of  the 
New  Testament ) 

About  one  hundred  years. 

60.  Why  is  this  history  of  so  great  importance  to  the 
world  ) 

Because  it  is  the  story  of  the  life  and  work  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  of  the  beginnings  of  his  kingdom  among 
men. 


CHAPTER  11. 

BIBLE   TEACHINGS. 

1.  About  God. 

«J1.     What  is  the  first  th'uKj  the   Bible  tells  us  about 
focU 
That  he  is  the  creator  of  all  things.     (Gen.  1:1.) 

02.     Wiat  is  God? 

God  is  a  Spirit,  and  he  is  ahnightj^,  all-wise,  eternal, 
ind  is  everywhere  present,  beholding  the  evil  and  the 
jood.     (  John  4  :  24.  ) 

63.  What  is  the  character  of  God? 

God  is  hol3',  just,  and  good,  and  he  is  full  of  mercy, 
ove,  and  truth.     ( Ex.  4:6.) 

64.  Is  there  more  than  one  God? 

There  is  but  one  true  God.     ( Isa.  44:  S;  I.  Cor.  8:6.) 

6').     ]V7iat  is  meant  by  the  Trinity? 
By  the  Trinity  is  meant  the  unity  of  three  persons  in 
:>ne  Godhead  —  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit. 

66.  How  are  we  to  understand  that  these  three  persons 
^ire  one? 

They  are  of  but  one  substance,  and  are  equal  in  power 
and  glory. 

67.  What  is  God's  ivork  in  providence  ? 
This  triune  God  not  only  created  the  heavens  and  the 

earth  and  all  that  in  them  is,  but  he  sustains,  protects, 
md  governs  these  with  a  gracious  regard  for  the  good  of 
nuui  and  the  glory  of  his  name. 

2.  About  Max. 

68.  How  did  man  come  to  be  in  this  icorld  ? 
God  created  him.     (Gen.  1  :  26.  ) 

15 


16  OUK  CATECHISM 

69.     ]Vhaf  are  the  two  2^ctrts  of  inan's  being  f 
The  body  aud  the  soul. 

10.     Of  what  did  God  make  man^s  bodi/f 
"Of  the  dust  of  the  ground  "  (Gen.  2:7). 

71.  How  did  God  make  man's  soulf 

He  breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life,  and 
man  became  a  living  soul.     ( Gen.  2:7.) 

72.  What  is  the  difference  between  the  body  and  the 
soul  f 

The  body  is  material  and  jxiust  die ;  the  soul  is  spiritual 
and  must  live  forever. 

73.  In  whose  image  ivas  man  created  f 

*'  God  created  man  in  his  own  image,  in  the  image  of 
God  created  he  him"  (Gen.  1:  27). 

74.  What  is  meant  by  being  created  in  the  image  of 
Godf 

Having  the  sjDiritual  nature  of  God  and  being  like  him 
in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.     (  Eph.  4 :  24. ) 

75.  ^hat  dignity  has  God  thus  given  to  manf 
He  is  the  crowning  work  of  all  his  creation. 

76.  What  authority  was  given  to  man  at  his  creation? 
God  gave  him    dominion    over   every    living    thing. 

(  Gen.  1 :  28. ) 

77.  IVficn  man  was  created  what  law  was  given  himf 
The  law  of  perfect  obedience  to  the  will  of  God.     ( Gen. 

2:16,  17.) 

78.  Bid  our  first  parents  in  Eden  always  obey  this  lawf 
They  violated  it,  and  so  brought  sin  into  the  world. 

( Gen.  3:6.) 

79.  What  is  sin? 

Sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law  of  God,  or  the 
failure  to  conform  to  its  holy  requirements.  (I.  John 
3:4.) 

80.  ]V7io  tempted  our  fii\st  parents  to  sin  f 
Satan,  the  evil  spirit.     (Gen.  3:1.) 


BIBLK   TEACHINGS  17 

81.  What  ivas  the  result  of  their  sin  ? 
They  lost  the  image  of  God  in  wliieh  thej'  had  ])een 

created,  and  thu.s  fell  fnjin  their  happj-  estate,  beconiiug 
subject  to  paiu  ami  death.     (  Gen.  3 :  16,  17. ) 

82.  Did  their  sin  affect  any  besides  themselves? 

Having  become  sinners,  they  transmitted  to  their  pos- 
terity a  sinful  nature,  so  tliat  all  mankind  was  brought 
into  an  estate  of  sin  and  misery.     (Rom.  5:  12-lS.  ) 

83.  Can  Goel  be  well  j^fcased  with  his  crecdures  icho  are 
sinful  by  7iature  and  in  life? 

Sin  is  so  displeasing  to  God  that  he  cannot  look  upon 
it  with  any  allowance.     (  Hab.  1  :  13. ) 

3.    About  Christ. 

8-i.     Does  God  then  not  love  sinners? 
He  loves  sinners,  but  not  their  sins. 

85.  How  did  God  show  his  love  for  sinful  man  ? 

"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begot^ 
ten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life"  (John  3:  10  i. 

86.  What  did  the  Son  of  God  do  to  save  sinners? 
He  came  down  from  heaven,   became  a  man,  lived, 

died,  and  rose  again. 

87.  How  did  Christ,  being  the  S'on  of  Goel,  become 
ftnan  ? 

He  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was 
made  in  the  likeness  of  man,  having  a  human  body 
and  soul.     ( Phil.  2  :  7,  8. ) 

88.  Was  Chrisfs  life  free  from  sin  ? 

He  was  himself  without  sin,  setting  us  a  perfect  ex- 
ample of  goodness  and  holiness.     ( I.  Pet.  2 :  22. ) 

89.  What  did  Christ  do  to  redeem  its  from  sin  ? 
"He  humbled   himself,    and    became    obedient    unto 

death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross"  ( Phil.  2:8). 

90.  Was  it  necessary  thett  he  should  thus  die  for  vs? 
Thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  that  he  >uight  make 

full  atonement  for  our  sins.     (  Luke  24 :  46.  "i 


IS  OUK  CATECHISM 

91.  Did  Christ  die  for  cdl  men  } 

By  the  grace  of  God  he  tasted  death  for  eveiy  man. 
(Heb.  2:9.) 

92.  Will  cdl  then  be  saved? 

No  ;  only  those  will  be  saved  who  accept  the  salvation 
Christ  has  provided.  If  they  will  cling  to  their  sins,  and 
reject  his  salvation,  they  will  be  forever  lost.  (Ps. 
9  i  17. ) 

93.  What  must  ive  do  to  be  saved'? 

Repent  of  our  sins  and  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  as  our  personal  Saviour.     (Acts  3:  19;  16:  31.) 

94.  What  is  repentance? 

It  is  such  a  sorrow  for  sin  as  leads  us  to  turn  from  sin 
unto  God.     (II.  Cor.  7:  10.) 

95.  What  is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  ? 

Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  such  a  belief  in  him  as  enables 
us  to  receive  him  and  to  trust  in  him  alone  for  salvation. 
(  John  1 :  12.  ) 

96.  Can  we  repent  and  believe  ivithout  God^s  help? 
The  power  to  repent  of  our  sins  and  to  believe  the  gos- 
pel is  given  us  of  God.     (  Eph.  2:8;  Rom.  11 :  29. ) 

4.    About  Salvatiox. 

97.  Hoiu  "may  ive  know  ivhen  ice  have  saving  faith? 
"He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God  hath  the  witness 

in  himself"  (I.  John  5:  10). 

98.  What  witness  is  this? 

"The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that 
we  are  the  children  of  God  "  (  Rom.  8  :  IG  ) 

99.  What  are  the  benefits  of  salvation  ? 
Justification,  regeneration,    adoption,  and    sanctilica- 

tion,  and  whatever  blessings  flow  from  these. 

100.  What  is  justification  ? 

Justification  is  that  act  of  God's  grace  whereby  our 
sins  are  pardoned,  and  we  are  accounted  righteous  for 
Christ's  sake.     ( Acts  13 :  39. ) 


BIBLK    TEACHINGS  19 

101.  What  is  rcytneration^ 

Regeueratiou  is  the  new  birtli  of  the  .m»iiI  whereby 
tve  are  made  aUve  to  God  and  are  eualjle<l  to  Uve  for 
iim.     (,  Tit.  3:5.) 

102.  ^yhat  is  adoption^ 

Adoption  is  that  act  of  God's  grace  wliereby  we  be- 
come members  of  his  family.     (  Gal.  3:  2<);  John  1  :  12. ) 

103.  What  is  sanctification  f 
Sauctifieation  is  the  work  of  God's  grace,  through  tlie 

vord  and  the  Spirit,  whereb3'  we  are  made  holy  in  heart 
md  life.     (II.  Thes.  2:  13. ) 

104.  What  other  benefits  do  those  share  who  have  been 
laved  from  sin? 

The  assurance  of  God's  love,  peace  of  conscience,  joy 
n  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  hope  of  eternal  glory. 

105.  What  is  it  to  be  a  true  Christian? 

To  love  God  with  all  the  heart  and  soul,  mind  and 
trength,    and   our   neighbor    as   ourselves.     (Matt.   22: 
U7-40.) 

100.  When  once  saved,  how  shall  we  keep  from  again 
falling  into  sin? 

By  continual  watchfulness,  the  study  of  God's  Avord, 
srayer,  and  a  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of  God.     (  Mark 

14  :  38. ) 

o.    About  Christian  Living. 

107.  Whrii  one  has  become  a  Christian,  luhat  is  his 
jhief  business? 

To  live  for  Christ.     ( II.  Cor.  5  :  15. ) 

108.  How  are  ice  to  live  for  him? 

By  seeking  to  do  his  will  in  all  things. 

109.  Where  do  we  find  his  ivill? 

In  the  Bible,  which  contains  the  moral  law. 

110.  Where  is  the  m,orcd  laiv  found  ? 

In  the  Decalogue,  or  Ten  Commandments. 


20  OUK  CATECIII.S3I 

(  1  )      THE  TEN  COMMAXD3IENTS. 

111.  What  Is  the  first  commandment  ? 
"Thou  shalt  have  uo  other  gods  before  me." 

112.  What  is  meant  by  this  commandments 

That  there  is  but  one  God,  and  that  we  are  to  fear, 
love,  and  trust  in  him  alone, 

113.  What  is  the  second  commandment? 

"Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or 
any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  that 
is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the 
earth  :  thou  shalt  not  bow  down  th^'self  to  them,  nor 
serve  tliem  :  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God, 
visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children 
unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate 
me;  and  showing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that 
love  me,  and  keep  my  commandments." 

114.  ^M^at  is  meant  by  this  commandment? 

That  we  are  not  to  make  or  bow  down  to  any  false 
gods. 

115.  What  is  the  third  commandment? 

"Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God 
in  vain:  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
taketh  his  name  in  vain." 

IIG.     What  is  meant  by  this  comm,andment? 

AVe  should  so  love  and  fear  God  as  not  to  profane  his 
holj'  name  by  swearing,  or  by  using  it  in  any  light  or 
thoughtless  way. 

111.     What  is  the  fourth  coynmandment  ? 

"Remember  the  Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six 
days  shalt  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work  :  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God  :  in  it 
thou  slialt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy 
daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor 
thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates:  for 
in  six  days  the  Lord  made  lieaveu  and  earth,  the  sea,  and 
all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day:  where- 
fore the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  dav,  and  hallowed  it." 


BIBLE    TEACHINGS  21 

lis.     What  is  meant  by  this  commandment  f 

That  the  day  which  God  has  api^oiiited  as  the  Sabbath 

should  be  observed  as  a  day  of  holy  rest  and  of  rehgious 

meditatioii  and  worship. 

119.  W/tat  is  the  fifth  commandment? 

"Honor  thy  father  and  thj-  mother:  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  upon  the  lantl  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
givetli  thee.'' 

120.  Mliat  is  meant  by  this  commandment .? 

That  we  should  so  love  and  cherish  our  parents  that 
we  will  give  them  due  honor  and  obedience. 

121.  What  is  the  sixth  commandment? 
"Thou  Shalt  not  kill." 

122.  What  is  meant  by  this  commandment  f 

That  God  places  great  value  upon  human  life,  and  we 
are  not  to  take  it  unjustly  at  any  time. 

123.  Wh((t  is  the  seventh  commandment? 
"Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery." 

124.  What  is  meant  by  this  commandment? 

That  we  are  not  to  indulge  in  any  unchaste  thoughts, 
words,  or  actions,  but  to  live  a  life  of  strict  purity. 

12o.     WJiat  is  the  eighth  commandment ? 
"Thou  shalt  not  steal." 

120.     What  is  meant  by  this  commandment? 
That  we  shall  not  rob  our  neighbor  of  his  money  or 
property,  or  take  anything  from  him  by  unfair  means. 

127.  What  is  the  ninth  commandment? 

"Thou  slialt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neigh- 
bor." 

128.  What  is  meant  by  this  commandment? 

That  we  should  always  so  honor  the  truth  that  we  will 
not  belie,  slander,  or  in  any  way  speak  evil  of  our  neigh- 
bor to  do  him  injury. 

129.  ^M^at  is  the  tenth  commandment? 

"Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  house,  thou 
shalt    not    covet    thy    neighbor's    wife,    nor    his    man- 


22  OUR  CATECHISM 

servant,  uor  his  maid-servant,  nor  bis  ox,  nor  his  ass, 
nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  neighbor's." 

130.     What  is  7neant  hy  this  commandments 
That  we  are  to  so  love  our  neighbor  that  we  will  not 
euvj^  him  his  proi:)erty  or  his  good  f(jrtune,  or  wrongfully 
seek  to  gain  possession  of  anything  that  is  his. 

131o  What  docs  our  Saviour  give  as  the  sum  of  these 
conmiandments  ? 

"Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind.  This  is 
the  first  and  great  commandment.  And  the  second  is 
like  unto  it.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself. 
On  these  two  commandments  hang  all  the  law  and  the 
prophets  "  (  Matt.  24  :  37-40  ). 

132.  What  is  the  Golden  JRule? 

"All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them"  ( Matt.  7  :  12 ). 

133.  Hoiv  are  all  these  eommandm,ents  to  be  ob- 
served f 

They  are  to  be  observed  in  thought  as  well  as  in  deed. 
(Matt.  5:21,  22,  27,  28.) 

134.  Are  lue  able  so  to  keep  them  in  our  own  strength  f 
We  are  not,  for  apart  from  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ 

Jesus  our  Saviour  no  one  can  perfectly  obey  the  law  of 
God. 

135.  How  then  may  ire  keep  God^s  laivf 

We  are  to  take  Jesus  Christ,  who  himself  perfectly 
obeyed  the  whole  law,  as  our  Saviour,  and  trust  con- 
stantly in  his  forgiving  love  and  saving  grace.  ( I.  John 
3  :  o. ) 

(  2  )      PRAYER. 

136.  What  is  one  of  the  principal  means  God  has 
ordained  to  aid  us  in  keeping  his  conunandmentsf 

Prayer. 

137.  ^^^at  is  2waijer  ? 

Prayer  is  the  offering  up  of  our  desires  to  God  for 
things  agreeable  to  his  holv  will. 


I  BIBLE   TEACHINGS  23 

138.  What  else  belongs  to  true  prcujer? 

The  ecmfessiou  of  our  sins,  thauksgiving  for  God's 
mercies,  aud  faitli  iu  his  promises. 

139.  Has  God  2:>romls€d  to  hear  our  irrai/ersJ 

He  has  promised  to  always  liear  aud  auswer  the  prayer 
of  faith.     (  Matt.  7:7.)*^ 

liO.     miat  rule  of  prayer  is  given  us  in  the  Bible? 
The  prayer    Christ    taught    his    disciples,   called    the 
Lord's  Prayer. 

141.  What  is  fh/'s  j^rager  that  teaches  i(s  to  irrag? 

"  Our  Father  which  art  iu  heaveu.  Hallowed  be  thy 
name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  doue  in  earth, 
as  it  is  iu  heaveu.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 
Aud  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 
Aud  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil :  for  thiue  is  the  kingdom,  aud  the  power,  aud  the 
glory,  for  ever.     Amen." 

142.  What  is  meant  bg  the  ivords  "  Our  Father  which 
art  in  heaven''''  ? 

That  we  are  to  think  of  God  when  we  pray  with  filial 
gratitude  as  our  Heavenly  Father. 

143.  How  mang  j^ctitions  are  there  in  this  model 
prager  1 

There  are  six  —  three  that  relate  to  God,  and  three  that 
relate  to  man. 

144.  What  is  th e  first  petition  ? 
"Hallowed  be  thy  name." 

145.  What  is  meant  bg  this  j^etition? 

That  we  should  thiuk  of  God  as  holy,  and  seek  his 
glory  iu  all  things. 

140.  What  is  the  second  j^et  it  ion  ? 
"Thj-  kingdom  come." 

147.     II  7<  at  is  mea  n  t  bg  th  is  2JC  t  it  ion  ? 
That  God  has  a  spiritual  kingdom  which  we  would 
have  him  set  up  iu  our  hearts  and  iu  the  world. 


24  OUR  CATECHISM 

148.  What  is  the  third  petition^ 

"Thy  will  be  done  iu  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven." 

149.  What  is  meant  by  this  petition  f 

That  we  may  know  and  do  the  will  of  God  in  all 
things,  as  the  angels  do  it  in  heaven. 

150.  Wiat  is  the  fourth  petition  f 
"Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread." 

151.  What  is  meant  by  this  2^€tition  .^ 

This  is  a  prayer  for  the  continuance  of  our  life  and 
strength,  that  we  may  be  able  to  do  God's  will  and 
service. 

152.  What  is  the  fifth  petition  f 

"Forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors." 

153.  What  is  meant  by  this p>etitionf 

This  prayer  teaches  us  that  forgiveness  is  as  needful 
for  the  soul  as  bread  is  for  the  body,  and  that  if  we 
would  find  forgiveness  of  God  we  must  be  loving  and 
forgiving  to  our  fellows-men. 

154.  What  is  the  sixth  petition  l? 

"Lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil." 

155.  What  is  meant  by  this  petition  f 

That  having  cast  upon  our  Heavenly  Father  all  the 
cares  of  our  earthly  life,  and  having  been  freed  from 
the  burden  of  sin,  we  need  to  be  led  by  God's  own  hand 
that  we  fall  not  into  temptation  and  evil. 

156.  What  is  the  condusion  of  the  Lord's  Prayer^ 
"For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the 

glory,  for  ever.    Amen." 

151.     What  does  this  teach  us? 

That  the  hope  for  the  answer  of  our  prayer  is  in  the 
Lord  only,  and  therefore  that  we  should  ever  keep  before 
us  the  thought  of  his  kingdom,  his  power,  and  his 
glory. 

158.     ^\7lat  is  meant  by  the  ivord  ^^Amen^^? 
As  we  pray,  so  be  it,  Lord. 


bible  teachings  25 

6.    About  Death  and  Eternity. 

159.  What  is  death  f 

It  is  the  eud  of  our  earthly  life,  when  the  soul  is 
separated  from  the  body. 

160.  Where  do  our  souts  go  at  death .? 

The  souls  of  the  righteous  go  to  heaveu,  and  the  souls 
of  the  wicked  to  hell. 

161.  What  becomes  of  our  bodies  after  death  ? 

They  lie  in  the  grave  till  the  resurrection,  at  the  last 
day,  when  Christ  shall  come  to  raise  the  dead. 

162.  Will  all  the  dead  be  reused? 

"There  shall  be  a  resurrection  of  the  dead,  both  of  the 
just  and  the  unjust "  ( John  5 :  28,  29  ;  Acts  24 :  15 ). 

163.  Will  edl  'men  be  judged  at  the  last  day? 

"AYe  must  all  appear   before  the  judgment  seat  of 
Christ ;    that  every  one  may  receive  the  things  done  in 
-   his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be 
good  or  bad"  (II.  Cor.  o:  10). 

16i.  What  will  then  become  of  the  wicked  and  the 
righteous?* 

The  M'icked  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment ; 
but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal.     ( Matt.  25 :  46. ) 

165 .     What  is  h ea ven  ? 

Heaven  is  the  everlasting  home  God  will  give  to  all  his 
true  children  after  death,     i  John  14:  2,  3. ) 

,      166.     What  is  the ixreparation  ice  need  for  heaven? 

We  must  be  pure  in  heart  and  live  a  life  of  love  and 
service  to  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour,  who  loved  us  and 
gave  himself  for  us.     {  Matt.  5:8;    Gal.  2  :  20. ) 

167.  Do  we  know  when  death  will  come  to  us  ? 

We  do  not,  but  w^e  are  sure  it  will  come  to  all.  (  Eccl. 
8:8;   Rom.  5:  12.) 

168.  JIou\  then,  shall  we  be  ready  for  death  and  a 
happy  eternity? 

"Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a 
crown  of  life."     ( Rev.  2  :  10. ) 


PART  II. 

The  Church. 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE   CHURCH   OF   CHRIST. 

1.  What  institution  ivas  founded  by  Christ  and  his 
apostles  f 

The  church. 

2.  What  is  the  church'^ 

The  church  is  the  body  of  believers  who  confess  that 
Jesus   of  Nazareth   is   the   Christ   of  God.     ( Matt.  16 : 

16,  18.) 

5.     In  how  many  forms  does  the  church  exist  ? 
Two;  the  visible  and  the  invisible. 

4.  Of  what  is  the  visible  church  composed  ? 

The  geueml  body  of  Christian  believers,  in  which  the 
word  of  God  is  taught  in  its  purity,  the  sacraments  are 
dulj^  administered,  and  the  worship  of  God  is  main- 
tained. 

5.  Of  what  is  the  invisible  church  composed  7 

Of  all  God's  true  children  in  all  ages  and  in  all  places. 

6.  How  does  Christ  regard  his  church  7 

He  loves  it,  and  has  promised  that  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  never  prevail  against  it.     (Matt.  16:  18.) 

7.  Why  should  all  Christian  believers  be  members  of 
the  visible  church  f 

Because  by  joining  the  church  and  working  for  it  they 
show  their  love  for  Christ  and  the  spiritual  home  he  has 
provided  for  them. 

8.  What  preparation  does  one  need  to  join  the  church  f 

26 


THE  CHLHCH   OK   CHKIST  27 

A  deep  sense  of  the  Deed  of  Christ  as  a  personal  Saviour 
and  a  liearty  acceptance  of  him. 

9.  W/iat  are  the  sacraments  of  the  church  f 
Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

10.  What  is  a  sacrament? 

A  sacrament  is  a  holj-  ordinance  instituted  by  Christ, 
and  is  an  outward  and  visible  sign  of  an  inward  and 
spiritual  grace. 

11.  What  is  baptism? 

Baptism  is  a  sacrament  wherein  water  is  applied  to  the 
one  receiving  it,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  signifies  the  acceptance  of  the 
covenant  of  grace  in  Christ  Jesus. 

12.  Are  any  to  be  baptized  but  believers  in  Christ? 
The  children  of  believing  parents  may  be  baptized,  the 

parents  thereby  making  a  solemn    covenant   to  bring 
them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

13.  What  advantages  are  shared  by  baptized  per- 
sons? 

By  baptism  believers  are  admitted  into  the  visil)le 
church  of  Christ,  and  children  are  thereby  recognized 
as  embraced  in  the  covenant  of  grace  in  Christ  Jesus, 
and  the  special  subjects  of  his  love  and  care. 

14.  What  is  the  Lord^s  Supper? 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  a  sacrament  in  which  bread  and 
wine  are  used  according  to  Christ's  appointment,  to  keep 
in  memory  his  sufferings  and  death  for  our  sins.  ( I.  Cor. 
11  :  28,  26.') 

1').  Whcd  p)reparation  do  ice  need  to  receive  this  holy 
sacrament? 

A  true  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  as  our  Saviour  and  a  sin- 
cere desire  to  please  him  in  all  things. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   UNITED   BRETHREN   CHURCH. 

lij.     What  are  the  different  clivisions  or  branches  of  the 
one  church  of  Christ  called? 
They  are  called  churches  or  (.lenomiuations. 

11.     What  is  the  church  with  which  we  are  connected 
ccdled  f 
The  United  Brethren  iu  Christ. 

1.    Outline  History. 

IS.  What  reasons  can  we  give  for  owr  connection  with 
this  Church? 

It  was  providentially  founded,  and  in  the  providence 
of  God  we  have  become  connected  with  it,  or  have 
chosen  its  fellowship  and  service  for  the  appointed  pur- 
poses of  the  church  of  God. 

19.  When  teas  the  United  Brethren  Church  founded? 
The  first  regular  annual  conference  was  held  in  1800. 

A  revival  movement  leading  up  to  this  organization  had 
been  in  progress  for  more  than  thirty  years. 

20.  Who  ivere  the  first  members  of  the  Church  f 
They  were  Germans  settled  in  America  who  were  desti- 
tute of  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  or  who  were  formal 
and  without  vital  Christianity,  but  were  awakened  and 
converted  under  the  earnest  preaching  of  godly  men. 

21.  Who  were  the  leaders  in  the  founding  of  the 
Church? 

William  Otterbein,  a  minister  of  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  who  came  as  a  missionary  from  Germany  in 
1752,  and  Martin  Boehm,  a  spiritual  preacher  of  the  Men- 
nonites. 

28 


THE   UNITED   PKETHKEX   (  IHKCH  lili 

22.  Where  did  the  Church  origincde  ^ 

lu  Peoiisylvauia,  Marylaud,  and  Virginia,  but  it  has 
since  extended  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  to 
Canada,  and  has  missions  in  Africa,  China,  Japan,  and 
also  in  Germany. 

23.  What  are  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Church? 
It  is  evangelical  and   evangelistic,   and  cojnbines  the 

prominent  features  of  the  various  forms  of  church  gov- 
ernment. 

24.  What  are  the  departments  of  Chureh  icork? 
Missions,  church  erection.  Sabbath  schools,  publishing, 

education,  and  young  people's  Mork. 

2.    Special  Privileges  axd  Duties. 

25.  What  are  the  privileges  and  duties  of  the  children 
and  young  people  of  the  Church  ? 

To  studj'  the  Word  of  God  in  the  Sunday  school  and 
to  take  part  in  the  religious  services  of  Junior  and  other 
young  people's  societies. 

26.  What  are  some  of  the  hcl2:>s  to  the  formation  of 
good  character  and  leading  to  a  life  of  usefulness? 

The  reading  of  good  books  and  papers,  the  use  of  the 
various  means  of  education,  and  the  daily  performance 
of  noble  and  upright  acts. 

27.  What  relcdion  does  the  home  have  to  the  church? 
The  home  and   the  church  are  closeij'  related,  both 

being  of  divine  origin,  and  have  in  view  the  best  inter- 
ests of  society. 

28.  What  does  our  Church  teach  about  familu  rell' 
gion  ? 

Parents  should  never  omit  to  pray  with  their  families, 
morning  and  evening,  and  to  set  them  a  good  example 
in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

29.  What  is  the  duty  of  pastors  as  to  the  home  training 
of  children? 

They  are  publicly  to  teach  the  people  what  God's  Word 
declares  respecting  the  duty  of  pareuts  to  train  up  their 
children  in  the  love  and  fear  of  the  Lord. 


30  Ol'K  CATECHISM 

30.  How  may  children  be  profited  by  the  godly  teach- 
ings of  their  j^arents  } 

By  giviug  heed  to  what  is  taught  them  aucl  by  obe- 
dience to  their  parents  iu  all  rightful  things. 

8.    The  Confession  of  Faith. 

SI.     What  is  the  brief  statement  of  the  leading  doctrines 
of  the  United  Brethren   Church  called? 
The  Confession  of  Faith. 

32.  Of  what  does  this  Confession  consist .? 
Of  thirteen  articles. 

33.  When  was  the  Confession  in  its  present  form 
adopted  1 

In  1889. 

5i.     What  is  the  preface  to  the  Confession  of  Fcdth? 
"In  the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and  confess  before 
all  men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief." 

35.  What  is  the  first  article  ? 

"We  believe  iu  the  only  true  God,  the  Father,  the 
Sou,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  these  three  are  one  — 
the  Father  in  the  Son,  the  Son  in  the  Father,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the  Father 
and  the  Son." 

36.  What  is  meant  by  this  article  '? 

We  believe  that  there  is  only  one  God,  but  that  there 
are  three  persons  in  the  Godhead  —  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  that  these  comprise  the  Holy 
Trinity. 

57.     Whcd  is  the  second  article  ^ 

"We  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the  heavens 
and  the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  and  invis- 
ible ;  that  he  sustains,  protects,  and  governs  these,  with 
gracious  regard  for  the  welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of 
his  name." 

38.     Whcd  is  meant  by  this  article  ? 
AVe  believe  that  God  created  all  things,  and  that  he 
preserves  and  cares  for  all  his  creatures. 


THK   UNITED   BKETHREN   CHUKCH  31 

39.  What  is  the  third  article? 

"We  believe  iu  Jesus  Christ;  that  he  is  very  God  and 
mau;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power  of  tlie 
H0I3'  Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin  ^Slary  ;  that  he  is 
the  Saviour  and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race,  if 
they  with  full  faith  accept  the  grace  proflered  in  Jesus; 
that  this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was 
buried,  rose  again  on  the  third  day,  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God  to  intercede  for  us; 
and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge  the 
living  and  the  dead." 

40.  What  is  meant  hij  this  articW? 

We  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  a  divine  Saviour,  and 
that  all  who  sincerely  believe  in  him  have  everlasting  life. 

41.  What  is  the  fourth  article  f 

"We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  he  is  equal  in 
being  with  the  P'ather  and  the  Son;  that  he  convinces 
the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment ; 
that  he  comforts  the  faithful  and  guides  them  into  all 
truth." 

42.  What  is  meant  by  this  article  f 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  divine  person,  and 
that  without  his  help  we  shall  not  be  able  to  find  and 
walk  in  the  ways  of  righteousness. 

43.  What  is  the  fifth  article  f 

"We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, is  the  word  of  God ;  that  it  reveals  the  only  true 
way  to  our  salvation ;  that  every  true  Christian  is  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  by  the  help  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  as  the  only  rule  and  guide  in  faith  and  practice." 

44.  What  is  meant  by  this  article  f 

We  believe  that  God's  Word  reveals  the  only  way  of 
life,  and  that  we  ought  to  receive  it  with  faith  and  love, 
lay  it  upon  our  hearts,  and  practice  its  precepts  in  our 
lives. 

45.  Mliat  is  the  si.vth  article  f 

"We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church,  composed  of 


32  OUR   CATECHISIM 

true  believers,  in  whieli  the  word  of  God  is  preached  by 
men  divinely  called,  and  the  ordinances  are  duly  admin- 
istered ;  that  this  divine  institution  is  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  worship,  for  the  edification  of  believers,  and 
the  conversion  of  the  world  to  Christ." 

46.  What  is  meant  by  this  article? 

We  believe  that  the  church  of  Christ  is  a  holy  institu- 
tion, and  that  all  who  love  Christ  should  be  members 
of  it,  and  enjoj^  its  gracious  benefits. 

47.  What  is  the  seventh  article? 

"We  believe  that  the  sacraments.  Baptism  and  the 
Lord's  Supper,  are  to  be  used  in  the  Church,  and  should 
be  practiced  by  all  Christians  ;  but  the  mode  of  baptism 
and  the  manner  of  observing  the  Lord's  Supper  are 
always  to  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding  of 
each  individual.  Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be 
left  to  the  judgment  of  believing  parents." 

48.  What  is  mea7it  by  this  article  ? 

We  believe  that  the  sacraments  of  the  New"  Testament 
should  be  observed  by  all  believers  in  Christ,  and  that 
through  them  special  spiritual  blessings  are  bestowed. 

49.  What  is  the  eighth  article  f 

"We  believe  that  man  is  fallen  from  original  right- 
eousness, and  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is 
inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  heaven." 

50.  What  is  meant  by  this  canticle  ? 

We  believe  that  we  are  all  sinners  by  nature  and  prac- 
tice, and  that  unless  we  are  made  alive  unto  God  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  Me  can  never  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God. 

51.  What  is  the  ninth  article? 

"We  believe  that  penitent  sinners  are  justified  before 
God  only  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  by 
works ;  yet  that  good  works  in  Christ  are  acceptable  to 
God,  and  spring  out  of  a  true  and  living  faith." 


THE   rXITEI)   BRETIIKKN    C  HCKCIl  83 

52.  Wliat  is  meant  by  this  article? 

We  believe  that  we  eau  ouly  be  just  iu  the  ej'es  of  the 
moral  law  wheu  we  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  our  Saviour, 
who  himself  kept  that  law  perfectly. 

53.  What  is  the  tenth  article  f 

"We  beheve  that  regeueratiou  is  the  renewal  of  the 
heart  of  mau  after  the  image  of  God,  through  the  M'ord, 
by  the  act  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the  l)eliever 
receives  the  spirit  of  adoption  and  is  enabled  to  serve 
God  with  the  will  and  the  aflfections." 

54.  What  is  meant  by  this  article? 

We  believe  that  those  who  are  born  anew  in  the  image 
of  Christ  are  received  into  the  family  of  God,  and  that  they 
have  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  children  of  God. 

55.  What  is  the  eleventh  article  ? 

"We  believe  that  sanctilication  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,  through  the  word  and  the  Spirit,  by  which  those 
who  have  been  born  again  are  separated  in  their  acts, 
words,  and  thoughts  from  sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live 
unto  God,  and  to  follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord. 

56.  What  is  meant  by  this  a7'ticle  ? 

We  believe  that  God  requires  all  his  children  to  be 
holj%  and  that  we  should  strive  by  his  help  to  live 
without  willful  sin. 

57.  What  is  the  twelfth  article  ? 

"We  believe  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinelj^ 
appointed ;  that  it  is  commemorative  of  our  Lord's  resur- 
rection from  the  grave,  and  is  an  emblem  of  our  eternal 
rest ;  that  it  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  com- 
munity, and  to  the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  that  it  should  be  reverently  observed  as 
a  daj'  of  holy  rest  and  of  social  and  public  woi*ship." 

58.  What  is  meant  by  this  article  ? 

We  believe  that  the  Sabbath  is  a  holy  day,  set  apart  by 
God  himself,  for  the  good  of  our  bodies  and  souls,  and 
that  on  it  w^e  should  refrain  from  ajl  worldly  pursuits 
and  pleasures. 
3 


34  OUR  CATECHISM 

59.  What  is  the  thirteenth  cirtide  '? 

"  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead ;  the  future 
general  judgment;  and  an  eternal  state  of  rewards,  in 
which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked 
in  endless  punishment." 

60.  What  is  meant  by  this  article  f 

We  believe  that  God  will  bring  every  one  of  us  into 
judgment  at  the  last  day,  far  all  we  have  done,  whether 
good  or  bad,  and  that  we  should  earnestly  strive  to  be 
ready  to  enter  into  life,  that  we  may  be  forever  with  the 
Lord. 


PART  111. 

Missions. 

CHAPTER  V. 
ORIGIN  AND  PROGRESS  OF  CHRISTIAN  MISSIONS. 

1.  What  command  did  Jesus  give  to  his  disciples  just 
before  he  ascended  to  heaven  / 

"Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature"  (Mark  16  :  15). 

2.  ]V7iat  does  this  meanf 

That  the  disciples  were  to  be  missionaries  to  bear  the 
gospel  to  others. 

3.  What  is  the  true  spirit  of  missions  f 

Love  for  Christ  and  the  souls  of  men  for  whom  he 
died. 

4.  ^^tat  is  the  true  aim  of  missionary  work  ^ 
To  make  Christ  known  to  the  world. 

5.  How  are  missionaries  sent  out  ? 
By  churches  and  missionary  societies. 

6.  Are  there  enough  missionaries  f 

"The  harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are 
few"  (Matt.  9:37). 

7.  Do  the  heathen  ivant  the  gosj)el  f 

Their  cry  to-day  is  the  same  as  in  the  days  of  Paul  the 
Apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  "Come  over  and  help  us." 

8.  Was  Paul  a  missionary '? 

He  was  the  first  gospel  missionary  to  a  foreign  land  of 
whom  we  have  any  account. 

,9.     Does  the  Lord  care  for  the  heathen  ? 
He  surely  does,  for  he  says,  "Ask  of  me,  and  T  shall 
35 


36  OUR  CATECHISM 

give  thee  the  heatheu  for  thiue  iuheritance,  and  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  thy  possession"  (Ps. 
2:  8). 

10.  Is  it  our  duty  to  pray  for  the  heathen  ? 

"Pray  ye  therefore  the  liord  of  the  harvest,  that  he 
will  seud  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest"  (Matt.  9:  38;. 

11.  What  would  be  a  good  missionary  motto  f 
Go  or  send. 

12.  WJiat  does  this  mean  f 

It  means  that  we  should  go  out  as  missionaries  our- 
selves, or  if  we  cannot  go,  that  we  will  give  of  our  money 
to  send  others. 

13.  What  jy^'omise  of  reward  is  made  to  those  icho  go 
or  send  ? 

They  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as 
the  stars  forever  and  ever.     (  Dan.  12:3.) 

li.     When  did  the  work  of  modern  missions  begin  1 
In  1792,  when  William  Carey  was  sent  as  a  missionary 
to  India. 

15.  Who  heive  been  some  of  the  leading  missionaries 
of  the  nineteenth  century^  eind  where  did  they  labor  .^ 

William  Carey,  India ;  Robert  ^Morrison,  China ;  Ado- 
niram  Judson,  Burmah  ;  Robert  Moflfat,  South  Africa  ; 
David  Livingstone,  Africa ;  Robert  INIcAll,  France ; 
Joseph  Hardy  Neesima,  Japan. 

16.  ^Vhat  7ias  this  century  been  ccdled? 
The  missionary  century  of  the  Christian  era. 

n.  What  is  the  outlook  for  missionary  endeavor  in 
the  twentieth  century'^ 

The  gospel  will  continue  to  spread  till  "  the  kingdoms 
of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and 
of  his  Christ." 


CHAPTER  VI. 
MISSIONS   OF    THE   UNITED   BRETHREN   CHURCH. 

1.    The  General  Board. 

18.  What  has  been  i^^Guliar  to  the  United  Brethren 
Church  during  all  its  history  ;? 

It  has  always  had  an  earnest  missionary  spirit. 

19.  Whcd  can  be  said  of  its  early  ministers  ? 
They  were  faithful  and  successful  missionaries. 

20.  When  was  the  Home^  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  organized  ? 

In  1853. 

(  1  )     AFRICA. 

21.  When  was  the  first  foreign  mission  established  f 
In  1855.  * 

22.  M^tere  was  the  mission  loccded? 

At  Sheugeh,  West  Africa,  sixty  miles  south  of  Free- 
town, among  the  Sherbro  people. 

23.  Wio  icere  the  first  missionaries  ? 

W.  J.  Shuey,  D.  K.  Flickinger,  and  D.  C.  Kuniler. 

24.  Mlmt  was  the  first  ivork  done  ? 
Building  a  chapel  and  schoolroom. 

25.  ]VIten  were  the  first  converts  in  the  mission  re- 
ported } 

In  1859,  when  Thomas  Tucker,  aged  twenty,  and  Lucy 
Caulker,  aged  fourteen,  a  daughter  of  the  chief,  were 
happily  converted. 

2(\.     What  has  been  the  progress  of  the  ivork  since  ? 
Though  slow  at  times,  it  has  steadily  advanced,  show- 
ing constantly  the  blessing  of  God  upon  it. 

37 


38  OUR  CATECHISM 

27.  When  was  the  first  industrial  school  established  ? 
In  1876. 

28.  What  school  was  founded  in  1887  for  the  training 
of  native  workers  for  the  mission  f 

The  Theological  Traiuing-School,  through  the  gift  of 
Mr.  Rufus  Clark  and  wife,  of  Denver,  Colorado. 

29.  What  missionary  ivas  longest  in  the  service  in  this 
mission ;? 

Rev.  Joseph  Gomer,  who  died  September  5,  1892,  hav- 
ing been  twenty-two  years  an  earnest  and  heroic  mission- 
ary in  the  Dark  Continent. 

30.  What  can  be  said  of  other  missionaries  in  this  field  f 
They  have  wrought  w^ell,  and  in  the  spirit  of  their  Mas- 
ter, Jesus  Christ,  aud  they  are  held  in  deserved  honor. 

31.  What  is  the  hope  for  this  work  in  the  future  ? 

That  it  will  continue  to  prosper  in  the  hands  of  conse- 
crated missiouaries  till  Africa  shall  be  brought  to  know 
Christ,  the  w^orld's  Saviour. 

(  2  )      GERMANY. 

3S.  When  did  the  Church  begin  7nissionan/  work  in 
Oermany  ? 

In  1869,  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  C.  Bischoff,  who  was 
sent  there  from  America. 

33.  Why  was  a  mission  planted  in  that  country  f 
Because  it  was  the  land  of  Otterbein,  the  founder  of 

our  Church,  and  because  Germans  in  America  who  had 
found  a  new  spiritual  life  under  the  preaching  of  the 
United  Brethren  had  a  burning  desire  that  their  friends 
in  the  home  land  might  share  their  new-found  joys. 

34.  What  are  the  evidences  of  the  ivisdom  of  this  work  f 
The  many  that  have  been  converted  aud  the  number 

of  churches  that  have  been  established. 

(  3  )      JAPAN. 

35.  When  was  the  missionary  ivork  of  the  Church 
opened  in  Japan  f 

In  1895,  with  several  native  missionaries  who  had  been 
educated  in  America. 


MISSIONS  OF  THE   UNITED   BRETHREN  CHURCH        39 

36.  What  were  the  siyeclal  encouragements  to  open  the 
work  in  that  country  ? 

The  eagerness  of  the  people  to  adopt  foreigu  customs, 
the  rehgious  freedom  guaranteed  hy  the  goverumeut,  aud 
the  readiness  of  cultured  and  consecrated  missionaries  to 
begin  the  work. 

31.     ]Miat  results  have  been  realized? 
Many  have  been  converted  under  the  labors  of  the 
missionaries,  and  the  future  is  full  of  hope. 

(4)      HOME  MISSIONS. 

38.  What  are  home  missions  ? 
Missions  in  our  own  country. 

39.  Where  ave  such  missions  operated  by  the  United 
Brethren  Church  f 

In  numerous  cities  aud  towns  throughout  our  country, 
east  and  west,  north  and  south. 

40.  ^^^lat  has  been  the  influence  of  the  m,issionary  icork 
of  the  denomination  on  its  life  and  growth  ? 

The  Church  has  been  most  active  aud  has  had  its  most 
rapid  growth  during  the  i^eriod  of  its  greatest  missionary 
activity. 

41.  Have  foreign  missions  really  paid? 

The  Church  has  never  had  a  better  investment,  for  it 
has  always  done  the  best  for  those  at  home  when  it  has 
done  its  best  for  those  far  away. 

2.    The  Woman's  Missionary  Association. 

42.  When  ivas  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  of 
the   United  Brethren  Church  organized? 

In  1875. 

43.  ^^l^ere  are  the  missions  of  this  society  located? 
In  Africa,  China,  and  at  Portland,  Oregon. 

(  1  )      AFRICA. 

44.  When  and  where  was  the  first  mission  opmcd  in 
Africa  ? 

In  1877,  at  Rotufunk,  on  the  Bompeh  River,  fifty  miles 
soutlu'Mst  of  Freetown. 


40  OUR  CATECHISM 

45.  Who  ivas  the  first  missionai*y  in  charge  of  the  work 
there  1 

Miss  Emily  Beekeo,  who,  after  nearly  two  years'  work, 
was  succeeded  by  other  earnest  and  devoted  workers. 

iG.     Wliat  losses  has  this  mission  sustained  by  death  } 
The  loss  of  Rev.  R.  N.  West,  twelve  years  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  mission,  and  of  Miss  Frankie  Williams 
and  Miss  Elma  Bittle,  true  and  brave  workers. 

i1.     What  is  the  ivork  done  in  the  mission  f 
Preaching  the  gospel,  conducting  a  medical  dispensary, 
and  operating  an  industrial  and  other  schools  and  girls' 
and  boys'  homes,  all  of  which  is  done  with  increasing 
good  results  from  year  to  year. 

(2)      CHIXA. 

48.  When  was  missionary  ivork  begun  in  China  f 
In  1889. 

49.  Where  luas  the  inission  located  ? 
In  Canton. 

50.  Why  was  it  loccded  there  f 

Because  it  is  the  home  of  most  of  the  Chinese  in  the 
United  States,  and  the  mission  hopes  to  be  able  to  secure 
the  services  of  those  converted  here  when  they  return  to 
China.  » 

51.  What  is  the  character  of  the  work  being  done  in 
this  mission? 

It  is  evangelistic  and  educational,  and  has  connected 
with  it  a  successful  medical  dispensary. 

52.  Do  the  Chinese  want  the  gospel  f 

Many  of  them  do  after  they  come  to  know  what  it  is 
and  what  it  will  do  for  them. 

53.  What  is  China^s  greatest  need '? 
Teachers  and  schools. 

54.  What  can  ive  do  to  supply  this  need? 
If  we  cannot  go  we  can  pray  and  give. 


MISSIONS   OF   THE  UNITED   BRETHREN   CHURCH        41 
(3)      PORTLAND,    OREGON. 

55.  When  ivas  the  mission  in  this  city  opened? 
In  1883. 

56.  What  is  the  object  of  the  mission  ? 

To  conduct  a  school  for  the  Chinese  of  this  country, 
and  through  it  secure  their  conversion  to  Christ,  so  that 
when  they  return  to  China  they  will  be  missionaries 
there  among  their  own  people. 

57.  Wiat  has  been  clone  in  this  mission^ 

More  than  a  thousand  Chinese  have  been  in  the  school, 
and  over  one  hundred  have  been  converted,  some  of 
whom  are  now  doing  good  work  as  missionaries. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
MISSIONARY  GIVING. 

58.  Where  do  we  learn  how  to  give  for  missions  ? 
In  the  Bible. 

59.  What  does  it  teach  us  is  the  first  thing  necessary 
to  right  giving? 

That  we  give  ourselves  to  the  Lord  to  do  his  will, 
(n.  Cor.  8:5;  Isa.  6  :  8. ) 

60.  JVhat  should  be  the  rule  of  our  giving  ? 

"Thou  shalt  give  unto  the  Lord  thy  God,  according  as 
the  Lord  thy  God  hath  blessed  thee  "  (  Deut.  16 :  10 ). 

61.  How  should  we  give  f 

"God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver"  (II.  Cor.  9:7). 

62.  When  should  we  give? 

"Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let  every  one  of 
you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him  "  ( I. 
Cor.  16:2). 

63.  How  much  should  ice  give  f 

"Of  all  that  thou  shalt  give  me  I  will  surely  give  the 
tenth  unto  thee"  (Gen.  28:  22). 

64.  With  what  motive  should  we  give? 
"Whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God"  (I. 

Cor.  10:31). 

65.  Does  Christ  regard  giving  to  help  the  heathen  as 
giving  to  himself? 

He  does,  for  he  says,  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done 
it  unto  me"  (  Matt.  25  :  40). 


42 


PART  IV. 
Temperance. 

CHAPTER  VHI. 

WHAT   TEMPERANCE   IS. 

1.  }\niat  is  temperance? 

Temperauce  is  wise  self-control,  the  moderate  use  of 
good  things,  and  total  abstinence  from  evil  things. 

2.  What  is  the  most  common  form  of  intemperance  ? 
The  use  of  intoxicating  drinks. 

1.    Alcoholic  Drinks  and  Their  Frots. 

3.  W/tat  is  it  in   strong  drink  that  is  so  dangerous? 
Alcohol. 

4.  What  is  alcohol? 
It  is  a  liquid  poison. 

5.  Does  temperance  allow  a  moderate  use  of  j)oisons  ? 
It  does  not,  for  poisons  are  injurious  even   in  small 

quantities. 

6.  What  do  we  mean  by  strong  drinks? 
Drinks  that  contain  alcohol. 

7.  7s  there  alcohol  in  cider^  wines,  and  beer  ? 
While  these  drinks  do  not  contain  as  much  alcohol  as 

some  others,  there  is  always  some  alcohol  in  them. 

8.  Are  they,  therefore,  dangerous  ? 

They  are  verj^  dangerous,  and  many  acquire  the  appe- 
tite for  stronger  liquors  by  using  these  drinks. 

U.     What    happens  to  the    one    who    drinks    alcoholic 
liquors  ? 
He  gets  drunk. 

43 


44  OUK  CATECHISM 

10.  Why  docs  he  get  drunk? 

Because  the  alcohol  is  a  poisou  that  affects  the  brain 
aud  makes  the  oue  who  driuks  it  crazy. 

11.  How  is  alcohol  made? 

It  is  made  from  grains  or  fruits  that  contain  sugar,  by 
the  process  of  decay,  or  rotting. 

12.  Did  God  ever  make  alcohol? 

No  ;  it  is  one  of  the  evil  things  man  makes  out  of  the 
good  gifts  of  God. 

13.  Is  alcohol  good  for  anything  f 

It  is  not  good  to  drink,  though  it  is  useful  to  burn. 

14.  Does  the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks  injure  the  body  ? 
It  weakens  the  body,  injures  the  stomach,  and  often 

causes  heart-disease  and  an  early  death. 

15.  Does  drunkenness  cause  men  to  commit  crime  ? 
Yes,  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  crimes  of  the  land 

are  caused  in  some  way  by  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks. 

16.  Is  the  money  that  is  spent  for  strong  drink  ivasted  ? 
It  is  worse  than  wasted,  for  it  brings  trouble  and  pov- 
erty and  shame  and  death. 

2.    Results  of  Abstinence. 

n.  What  could  be  done  if  the  unoney  spent  for  strong 
drink  were  saved  f 

It  would  buy  food,  clothing,  books,  and  a  great  many 
other  good  things. 

18.  What  would  be  the  result  if  all  people  would  abstain 
from  the  use  of  strong  drinks  f 

This  would  be  a  much  better  and  happier  world  in 
which  to  live. 

19.  What  can  we  do  for  temperance  ? 

We  should  first  of  all  learn  how  harmful  alcohol  is, 
and  then  we  should  never  touch,  taste,  or  handle  it. 

20.  Should  we  all  take  a  jjledge  to  do  this  ? 
Yes,  and  the  stronger  the  better. 


WHAT  TEMPERANCE  IS  45 

21.  What  is  the  advantage  of  such  a  pledge  1 
Those  who  keep  it   will   never  have  an  appetite  for 

strong  drink,  and  so  will  never  become  drunkards. 

3.    The  Church  and  Temperance, 

22.  What  has  been  the  history  of  our  Church  on  th( 
temperance  question  f 

The  General  Conference  took  advanced  ground  in  favor 
of  total  abstinence  in  1821,  and  the  Church  has  ever  since 
been  loyal  to  that  position. 

23.  What  is  the  rule  of  the  Church  noiv  respecting  the 
use  of  intoxicating  drinks  f 

The  distilling,  vending,  and  using  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  beverage  are  forbidden. 

24.  What  more  is  forbidden  f 

Members  of  the  Church  are  not  permitted  to  rent  or 
lease  property  for  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  such  drinks, 
or  to  sign  petitions  for  granting  license,  or  to  become 
bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traflfic  in  intoxi- 
cating drinks. 

25.  Dors  the  Church  2ye7'mit  even  the  moderate  use  of 
intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage  ? 

It  does  not,  but  requires  of  all  the  practice  of  total 
abstinence. 

26.  Is  the  Church  then  a  temj^cixoice  society? 

It  is,  and  one  of  the  best,  and  all  who  join  it  promise 
to  practice  the  principles  of  temperance. 

4.    Tobacco. 

21.    Is  the  use  of  tobacco  a  form  of  intemperance  ? 
It  is. 

28.  What  is  tobacco? 
It  is  a  poisonous  plant. 

29.  How  do  you  know  it  is  jyoisonous  ? 

Because  it  will  make  those  not  accustomed  to  its  use 
sick  when  they  take  it  into  their  mouths. 

30.  What  is  the  effect  of  this  poison  ? 

It  injures  the  bodies  and  minds  of  those  who  use  it. 


46  OUR  CATECHISM 

31.  What  form  of  the  use  of  tobacco  is  especially  harm- 
ful to  boys f 

Cigarette  smokiug. 

32.  What  kind  of  a  x>ledge  ought    all  to  take  tvith 
respect  to  tobacco) 

A  pledge  uever  to  use  it  in  any  form. 

33.  What  does  our  Church  advise  respecting  the  use  of 
tobacco  f 

It  advises  all  its  members  to  wholly  abstain  from  its 
use  in  every  form. 

34.  Will  the  Church  license  persons  to  preach  the  gospel 
who  use  tobacco  f 

It  will  not. 

35.  miat  can  ive  do  to  destroy  this  filthy,  expensive, 
and  harmful  tobacco  habit  f 

We  can  refuse  to  use  it  ourselves,  and  so  set  a  good 
example  to  others. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE   BIBLE   AND   TEMPERANCE. 

36.  What  does  the  Bible  teach  us  about  self-control  f 
That    he    is   better  "  that    ruleth   his  spirit  than   he 

that  taketh  a  city"  (Prov.  16  :  32). 

37.  MTiat  does  this  mean  f 

That  the  truest  success  iu  life  requires  self-mastery. 

38.  ^lien  should  one  learn  to  be  master  of  himself? 
When  he  is  young. 

39.  Does  the  Bible  speak  of  temperance  children  ? 
It  tells  of  several  who  lived  in  Bible  times. 

40.  What  are  some  of  their  names  .^ 

Samuel  and  Samson,  Daniel  and  his  three  friends,  and 
John  the  Baptist. 

41.  How  did  Sam,uel  become  a  total  abstainer  f 

His  mother  taught  him  temperance  principles  and 
kept  him  pure  until  he  was  old  enough  to  watch  over 
himself. 

42.  Was  she  a  strictly  temperance  woman  f 

She  said  to  the  priest:  "I  have  drunk  neither  wine 
nor  strong  drink,  but  have  poured  out  my  soul  before 
the  Lord"  (L  Sam.  1  :  15). 

43.  For  what  was  Sampson  noted  f 
His  great  strength. 

44.  What  noble  purpose  had  Daniel  f 

"But  Daniel  purposed  in  his  heart  that  he  would  not 
defile  himself  with  the  portion  of  the  king's  meat,  nor 
with  the  wine  which  he  drank  "  (  Dan.  1:8). 

47 


48  OUK  CATECHISM 

45.  Did  the  total  abstinence  of  Daniel  and  his  fHends 
injure  them  1^ 

'SSo  he  consented  to  them  in  this  matter,  and  proved 
them  ten  days.  And  at  tlie  end  of  ten  days  their  coun- 
tenances appeared  fairer  and  fatter  in  flesh  than  all  the 
children  which  did  eat  the  portion  of  the  king's  meat" 
(Dan.  1:  14,  15). 

46.  How  was  John  the  Baptist  honored  ^ 

He  was  a  bright  and  shining  light  in  the  world  and 
prepared  the  way  for  the  coming  and  work  of  Jesus. 

41.    Does  true  temperance  tend  to  success  in  life  ? 
"Every  man  that  striveth  for  the  mastery  is  temperate 
in  all  things"  ( I.  Cor.  9:  25). 

48.  What  is  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  ? 

"The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffer- 
ing, gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance" 
(Gal.  5:22,  23). 

49.  Why  should  ive  avoid  strong  drink'? 

Because  "wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging;  and 
whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise  "  (  Pro  v.  20  : 1 ). 

50.  Why  should  we  not  associate  with  wine-drinkers  f 
"Be  not  among  Mine-bibbers;    among  riotous  eaters 

of  flesh ;  for  the  drunkard  and  the  glutton  shall  come 
to  poverty ;  and  drowsiness  shall  clothe  a  man  with  rags  " 
(Prov.  23:20,  21). 

51.  "  Who  hath  woe  f  Who  hath  sorrow  ?  Who  hath  con- 
tentions f  Who  hath  babblings'?  JMio  hath  ivounds  with- 
out cause  ?     Who  hath  redness  of  eyes  f  "     [Prov.  23 :  29. ) 

"They  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine;  they  that  go  to 
seek  mixed  wine"  (  Prov.  23:  30). 

52.  How  can  we  avoid  these  evils? 

"Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when 
it  givetli  his  color  in  the  euj),  when  it  moveth  itself 
aright"  (Prov.  23:31). 

53.  What  icill  be  the  result  if  not  avoided  ? 

"At  the  last  it  bitetli  like  a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like 
an  adder  "  (  Prov.  23 :  32 ). 


THE  BIBLE  AND  TEMPEKA>'CE  49 

5i.  Will  an  appetite  for  strong  drink  excuse  the  use 
of  it  ? 

"Woe  unto  them  that  rise  up  early  in  the  morning, 
that  they  may  follow  strong  drink ;  that  continue  unto 
night,  until  wine  inflame  them  "  ( Isa.  5  :  11 ). 

55.  Is  there  anything  ivrong  in  inducing  others  to  use 
strong  drink? 

"  Woe  unto  him  that  giveth  his  neighbor  strong  drink, 
that  putteth  thy  bottle  to  him,  and  makest  him  drunken 
also"  (Hab.  2  :  15). 

56.  Does  the  good  of  others  require  us  to  abstcdn  from 
strong  drink  ? 

"It  is  good  neither  to  eat  flesh,  nor  to  drink  wine,  nor 
any  thing  whereby  thy  brother  stumbleth,  or  is  offended, 
or  is  made  weak  "  (  Rom.  14 :  21  ). 

57.  With  what  sins  does  the  Apostle  Paul  place  drunk- 
enness ? 

With  idolatry,  strife,  and  murder.     (  Gal.  5  :  19-21. ) 

5S.  What  should  ive  always  remember  about  our 
bodies  ? 

That  they  are  God's  temples,  and  should  be  kept  pure 
and  clean,  fit  for  him  to  live  in.     ( I.  Cor.  6:  19.) 

59.     Can  the  drunkard  go  to  heaven? 

"Xor  thieves,  nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers, 
nor  extortioners,  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God"  (I. 
Cor.  6:10). 

6v>.  What  should  be  our  rule  concerning  all  intoxicating 
drinks? 

"Abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil"  ( I.  Thes.  5:  22  ). 
"Touch  not;  taste  not;  handle  not"  (  Col.  2:  21 ). 


CHAPTER  X. 
PLEDGES. 

1.  Anti-Saloox  Pledge. 

Realizing  the  evils  resulting  from  the  habit  and  traffic 
of  strong  drink,  I  promise,  God  helping  me,  that  I  will 
abstain  from  all  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage,  and 
will  use  my  influence  to  induce  others  to  abstain  ;  that 
I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  abolish  drinking-saloons 
and  to  prevent  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a  beverage. 

2.  The  Triple  Pledge. 

I  hereby  promise,  God  helping  me,  to  abstain  from  the 
use  of  tobacco  in  every  form,  from  the  use  of  wine,  beer, 
and  other  intoxicating  drinks,  and  from  the  use  of  all 
profane  and  unclean  language. 

3.      AXTI-ClGARETTE  PLEDGE. 

God  being  my  helper,  I  do  hereby  pledge  myself,  upon 
honor,  to  abstain  from  smoking  cigarettes,  or  using 
tobacco  in  any  form,  and  to  use  my  influence  and  best 
endeavors  to  induce  others  to  do  the  same. 


PART  V 

Supplemental  Lessons. 
chapter  xl 

MEMORY    PASSAGES. 

1.    The  Beatitudes. 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit  :  for  theirs  is  the  king- 
dom of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  :  for  they  shall  be  com- 
forted. 

Blessed  are  the  meek  :  for  thej^  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness  :  for  they  shall  be  filled. 

Blessed  are  the  merciful  :  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy. 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart :   for  they  shall  see  God. 

Blessed  are  the  peacemakers  :  for  they  shall  be  called 
the  children  of  God. 

Blessed  are  they  whicli  are  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness' sake :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

2.    The  First  Psalm. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of 
the  ungodly,  nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor 
sitteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful. 

But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  ;  and  in  his 
law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night. 

And  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of 
water,  that  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  his  season  ;  his  leaf 
also  shall  not  wither;  and  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall 
prosper. 

The  ungodly  are  not  so  :  but  are  like  the  chaff  which 
the  wind  driveth  away. 

ol 


52  OUR  CATECHISM 

Therefore  the  ungodly  shall  uot  stand  in  the  judgment, 
nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous. 

For  the  Lord  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous  :  but 
the  way  of  the  ungodly'  shall  perish. 

3.    The  Eighth  Psalm. 

O  Lord,  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all 
the  earth!   who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens. 

Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou 
ordained  strength  because  of  thine  enemies,  that  thou 
mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 

When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fin- 
gers, the  moon  and  the  stars,  which  thou  hast  ordained ; 

What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  and  the 
son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ? 

For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower  than  the  angels, 
and  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor. 

Thou  madest  him  to  have  dominion  over  the  works 
of  thy  hands  ;  thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet  : 

All  sheep  and  oxen,  j^ea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field  ; 

The  fowl  of  the  air,  and  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  what- 
soever passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  seas. 

O  Lord,  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the 
earth  ! 

4.    The  Twenty-Third  Psalm. 

The  Lord  is  my  shepherd  ;   I  shall  not  want. 

He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures  ;  he  lead- 
eth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

He  restoreth  my  soul :  he  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of 
righteousness  for  his  name's  sake. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil  :  for  thou  art  with  me  ;  thy 
rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me. 

Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of 
mine  enemies  :  thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil  ;  mj' 
cup  runneth  over. 

Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days 
of  my  life  :  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for 
ever. 


memory  passages  53 

5.    The  Love  Chapter. 
i.  corinthians  13  (  r.  v.  ). 

If  I  speak  with  the  toDgues  of  men  and  of  angels,  but 
have  not  love,  I  am  become  sounding  brass,  or  a  clanging 
cymbal. 

And  if  I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  know  all  mys- 
teries and  all  knowledge  ;  and  if  I  have  all  faith,  so  as 
to  remove  mountains,  but  have  not  love,  I  am  nothing. 

And  if  I  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  if  I 
give  my  body  to  be  burned,  but  have  not  love,  it  iDrofit- 
eth  me  nothing. 

Love  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind  ;  love  envieth  not ; 
love  vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up. 

Doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  its  own, 
is  not  provoked,  taketh  not  account  of  evil  ; 

Rejoiceth  not  in  unrighteousness,  but  rejoiceth  with  the 
trutli  ; 

Beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all 
things,  endureth  all  things. 

Love  never  faileth  :  but  whether  there  be  prophecies, 
they  shall  be  done  away;  whether  there  be  tongues,  they 
shall  cease  ;  whether  there  be  knowledge,  it  shall  be  done 
away. 

For  we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy  in  part : 

But  when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come,  that  which  is 
ill  part  shall  be  done  away. 

But  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  love,  these  three;  and 
the  greatest  of  these  is  love. 

6.    The  Ten  Commandments. 

I.  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me. 

II.  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image, 
or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or 
that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water  under 
the  earth  :  thou  shalt  not  bow  down  thyself  to  them, 
nor  serve  them  :  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous 
God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  chil- 
dren unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that 


54  OUR  CATECHISM 

bate  me ;    and  showing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them 
that  love  me,  and  keep  my  commandments. 

III.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain  :  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless 
that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

IV.  Remember  the  Sabbath  day,  to  keejD  it  holy.  8ix 
days  shalt  thou  labor  and  do  all  thy  work :  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God  :  in  it 
thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy 
daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor 
thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates  :  for 
in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea, 
and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day  : 
w^herefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day,  and  hal- 
lowed it. 

V.  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother  :  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee. 

VI.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

VII.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adulteiy. 

VIII.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

IX.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbor. 

X.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  house,  thou 
shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man-servant, 
nor  his  maid-servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any- 
thing that  is  thy  neighbor's. 

* 
7.    Wisdom  for  the  Young. 

reading  from  the  proverbs  of  solomon. 

Leader.     Hear  me  now  therefore,  O  ye  children, 
J?e.<t2)onse.    And  depart    not    from   the  words  of   my 
mouth. 
L.    INIy  son,  attend  unto  my  wisdom, 
i?.    And  bow  thine  ear  to  my  understanding ; 
L.    Lest  thou  give  thine  honor  unto  others, 
H.     And  thy  years  unto  the  cruel ; 
X.     Lest  strangers  be  filled  with  thy  wealth, 
i?.    And  thy  labors  be  in  the  house  of  a  stranger; 


MEMORY   PASSAGES  55 

L.  And  thou  mourn  at  the  last, 

R.  AVhen  thy  flesh  and  X\\y  body  are  consumed, 

L.  And  say,  How  have  I  hated  instruction, 

R.  And  my  heart  despised  reproof  ; 

X.  And  have  not  obeyed  the  voice  of  niy  teachers, 

R,  Nor  inclined  mine  ear  to  them  that  instructed  me  ! 

L.  His  own  iniquities  shall  take  the  wicked  himself, 

R.  And  he  shall  be  holden  with  the  cords  of  his  sins. 

L.  He  shall  die  without  instruction  ; 

R.  And   in   the   greatness  of  his  folly  he  shall   go 
astray. 

L.  My  son,  attend  to  my  words  ; 

R.  Incline  thine  ear  unto  my  sayings: 

L.  Let  them  not  depart  from  thine  ej^es ; 

R.  Keep  them  in  the  midst  of  thine  heart : 

L.  For  they  are  life  unto  those  that  And  them,, 

R.  And  health  to  all  their  flesh. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
PRAYERS. 

1.    The  Lord's  Prayer. 

Our  Fatlier  which  art  iu  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy 
name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth, 
as  it  is  iu  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 
And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors.  And 
lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil : 
For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
for  ever.    Amen. 

2.    A  Child's  Evenings  Prayer. 

Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 

I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  keep  ; 

If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 

I  pray  thee.  Lord,  my  soul  to  take. 

And  this  I  ask  for  Jesus'  sake.    Amen. 

3.    Childhood's  Prayer. 

As  now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep. 
May  angel  guards  around  me  keep. 
Through  all  the  silent  hours  of  night. 
Their  watch  and  ward  till  morning  light. 
Dim  evening  shades  around  me  creep. 
As  now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep. 
I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  keep, 
The  while  I  wake  or  while  I  sleep ; 
And  while  I  work  and  while  I  play, 
I  pray  thee.  Lord,  my  soul  to  take: 
I  pray  that  thou  wouldst  for  me  make 
Close  at  thy  feet  a  lowly  place. 
Where  I  may  e'er  behold  thy  face. 
And  this  I  ask  for  thv  dear  sake  — 


PRAYERS  57 

I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  take. 

Give  me  thy  grace,  that,  day  by  day. 

Thy  love  may  iu  my  heart  grow  deep, 

I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  keep. 

If  I  should  die  before  I  wake  ; 

If  I  this  night  the  world  forsake. 

And  leave  the  friends  I  hold  most  dear. 

Leave  all  that  I  so  value  here  ; 

And  if  thy  call  my  slumbers  break  — 

If  I  should  die  before  I  wake. 

While  bending  at  my  mother's  knee, 

This  little  prayer  she  taught  to  me — 

"Xow  as  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 

I  pray  thee.  Lord,  my  soul  to  keep ; 

If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 

I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  take." 

— Xewton  S.  Otis, 


4.    An  Evening  Prayer. 

Now  the  light  has  gone  away, 
Saviour,  listen  while  I  pra^-. 
Asking  thee  to  watch  and  keep. 
And  to  send  me  quiet  sleep. 

Jesus,  Saviour,  wash  away 

All  that  has  been  wrong  to-day ; 

Help  me  ev'ry  day  to  be 

Good  and  gentle,  more  like  thee. 

Let  my  near  and  dear  ones  be 
Always  near  and  dear  to  thee  ; 
Oh,  bring  me  and  all  I  love 
To  thy  hajDpy  home  above. 

Thou  my  best  and  kindest  friend. 
Thou  wilt  love  me  to  the  end  ! 
Let  me  love  thee  more  and  more. 
Always  better  than  before. 

—Frances  liklley  Havergal. 


58  OUR  CATECHISM 

5.    A  jNIorxing  Prayer. 

O  Lord,  I  give  thee  thanks  that  thou  liast  taken  care 
of  me  the  past  night,  and  that  I  am  permitted  to  see 
the  hght  of  another  morning.  Keep  me,  O  Lord,  from 
evil  all  this  day,  and  may  I  love  and  serve  thee  with  a 
true  heart  always.  Grant  me,  I  pray  thee,  every  good 
thing  which  I  need  for  my  body  and  soul.  Create  in  me 
a  clean  heart,  and  help  me  by  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  do  thy 
will.  Be  merciful  to  me  and  forgive  my  sins.  80  hel]) 
me  every  day  that  I  may  please  thee  in  all  things.  This 
I  ask  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

6.    An  Evening  Prayer. 

Heavenly  Father,  I  bow  down  before  thee  to  give  thee 
thanks  for  all  the  blessings  of  this  day.  Thou  hast  been 
very  near  to  me  and  hast  been  very  good.  Thou  hast 
supplied  all  my  needs  and  hast  kept  me  from  all  harm. 
Forgive  me  the  sins  of  this  day,  I  pray  thee,  and  keep 
me  always  in  thy  love.  Watch  over  me  while  I  sleep, 
and  may  no  evil  thing  come  to  me.  Bless  all  my  near 
and  dear  friends.  INIay  they  all  be  ever  dear  to  thee. 
Bless  the  sad  and  the  poor  and  the  needy.  Help  them 
always  to  place  their  hands  in  thine  and  to  go  only 
where  thou  leadest.  ]May  I  always  be  kind  to  the  troubled 
and  ever  be  like  thy  dear  Son,  my  Saviour,  who  went 
about  doing  good.  These  mercies  I  ask  for  his  name's 
sake.    Amen. 


APPENDIX. 


MODEL  CONSTITUTION   FOR   A  JUNIOR   YOUNG 
PEOPLE'S   SOCIETY, 

The  following  model  coDstitutiou  is  presented  to  the 
Church  as  embracing  the  leading  features  necessary-  to 
successful  Christian  work  among  bo^s  and  girls.  Verbal 
changes  maj'  be  made  to  adapt  it  to  the  wants  of  a  given 
church  or  community.  There  may  be  more  or  fewer 
committees,  as  local  needs  may  require. 

The  success  of  any  Junior  societj'  and  its  work  will 
depend  chiefly  on  the  leaders  and  the  pastor.  On  them 
will  devolve  the  task  of  adapting  the  organization  to 
local  conditions  and  circumstances.  The  leaders  should 
be  earnest  Christian  workers  with  a  special  love  for  work 
among  boys  and  girls. 

COXSTITUTION.  1 

ARTICLE  I. 

Kamr. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Junior  Young 

People's   Society   of Ignited  Brethren   Church 

of . 

ARTICLE   II. 

Object. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  promote  in  its 
members  a  pure  and  worthy  character,  to  aid  in  the 
study  of  the  Bible,  and  to  cultivate  the  principles  of 
loyal  service  to  Christ. 

*  Cojiies  of  tliis  constitution  may  bp  had  at  tliree  cents  each 
by  addressins:  tlie  t^iiitod  Brotliroii  Puhlishinjr  House.  Dayton, 
Ohio.  H  a  constitution  for  a  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  society 
is  desired,  it  can  be  had  at  the  same  rates. 

59 


GO  Ai'PENDIX 

ARTICLE   III. 

Membership. 

Section  1.  The  members  shall  be  boys  aud  girls  from 
seven  to  flfteeu  years  of  age,  who  shall  have  been  ap- 
proved by  the  leaders,  aud  elected  by  a  majority  vote  of 
the  members  present  at  any  regular  meeting. 

Sec.  2.  All  those  who  become  members  shall  pledge  ^ 
themselves  to  attend  regularly  the  meetings  of  the  so- 
ciety and  to  observe  good  order  in  them. 

article  IV. 

Officers. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  leader 
and  an  assistant  leader  (adults),  a  president,  vice-presi- 
dent, secretary,  aud  treasurer. 

Sec.  2.  The  leaders  shall  be  nominated  by  the  young 
people's  society  of  the  church  ( or  by  the  teachers  and 
officers  of  the  Sunday  school  where  no  young  people's 
society  exists),  and  their  nomination  shall  be  approved 
by  the  pastor  and  the  official  board. 

1  This  pledge  should  be  understood  to  be  taken  by  all  members 
received  into  the  society.  Where  a  more  formal  pledge  is  desired, 
the  following  may  be  adopted  : 

JUNIOR  SOCIETY  PLEDGE. 

Trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  to  help  me,  I  promise  that  I  will  strive  to 
do  whatever  he  tcould  like  to  have  me  do ;  that  I  ivill  pray  and  read 
the  Bible,  and  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy;  and  that  just  so  far  as  I 
know  hoiv  I  will  try  to  lead  a  good  life;  that  I  tcill  be  present  at  every 
meeting  ivhen  not  hindered  by  sickness  or  some  other  just  cause;  and 
that  I  tcill  take  some  part  in  the  meetings,  especially  the  monthly  rec- 
ognition meetings. 

Note.— There  should  be  great  care  taken  in  having  young  chil- 
dren, who  will  innocently  sign  anything,  take  this  pledge.  The 
pledge  should  be  clearly  explained  and  wisely  emphasized.  To 
secure  the  cooperation  of  parents  the  leaders  should  send  them  a 
copy  of  the  pledge,  and  also  the  following  for  the  parent  to  sign  : 

PARENT'S  answer. 

I  have  carefully  read  the  accomj)anying  pledge  and  cheerfully  give 

my  consent  for  to  sign  it,  and  tcill  do  tchat  I  can  to 

help  to  faithfully  keep  it. 

Pai-enVs  Xante 

Address 


APPENDIX  61 

ARTICLE   \'. 

Duties  0/  Ojficers. 

Section  1.  The  leader  shall  have  geiieral  charge  of 
the  society  and  its  work. 

8ec.  2.  The  assistant  leader  shall  aid  the  leader  at  his 
request,  and  care  for  all  the  funds  received  from  the 
treasurer. 

8ec.  3.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business 
meetings,  under  the  advice  of  the  leader. 

8ec.  4.  The  vice-president  shall  conduct  business 
meetings  in  the  absence  of  the  2>i"csident. 

8ec.  5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names 
and  attendance  of  members,  and  of  the  proceedings  of 
all  business  meetings. 

8ec.  6.  The  treasurer  shall  take  the  collections,  enter 
the  amount  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  turn 
over  the  money  to  the  assistant  leader  for  safe  keeping. 
A  record  shall  also  be  kept  of  all  expenditures,  as  directed 
by  the  leader  and  society. 

article  VI. 

Committees. 

There  shall  be  five  standing  committees  of  five  (or 
three,  as  may  be  desired  )  members  each,  as  follows, —  the 
members  in  each  (  except  the  executive  committee  )  to  be 
proposed  by  the  leaders  and  approved  by  the  society  : 

1.  Membership.  To  bring  in  those  who  may  wish  to 
become  members,  to  introduce  them  to  the  leaders,  and  to 
help  them  to  feel  at  home  in  the  meetings  ot  the  society. 

2.  Devotional.  To  help  the  leader  to  arrange  pro- 
grams, provide  music,  to  distribute  Bibles,  singing  books, 
tracts,  etc.,  and  to  aid  in  every  way  which  the  leaders 
may  direct  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  meetings. 

3.  HeJping-IIand.  To  seek  new  scholars  for  the  Sun- 
day school,  and  to  bring  them  in  and  introduce  them  to 
the  superintendent,  to  visit  members  when  sick  or 
neglectful  of  the  meetings,  and  to  act  as  special  aids  to 
the  leaders  in  securing  a  full  attendance  at  the  monthly 
recognition  service. 


62  APPENDIX 

4.  Temperance.  To  canvass  for  signatures  to  the  tem- 
perance pledge  1  under  the  direction  of  the  leaders,  and 
to  help  in  any  other  way  to  promote  temj)erance  work 
among  boys  and  girls. 

5,  Executive  Committee.  The  pastor,  leaders,  and  the 
officers  shall  compose  the  executive  committee,  which 
shall  have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  society. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Meetings. 

Section  1.  A  devotional  meeting  shall  be  held  every 
week,  the  exercises  of  which  shall  consist  of  prayers, 
Scripture  reading  and  study,  singing,  and  testimony. 

Sec.  2.  Once  a  month  the  meeting  shall  be  known  as 
a  recognition  meeting.  At  some  time  during  the  exer- 
cises the  pledge,  if  there  is  one,  shall  be  recited  in  con- 
cert, and  the  roll  called.  The  resi)onses  shall  be  consid- 
ered a  renewal  of  the  pledge  of  the  society.  The  name 
of  any  member  who  is  absent  without  excuse  from  four 
consecutive  recognition  meetings  shall  be  dropped  from 
the  roll  of  members. 

Sec.  3.  All  meetings  shall  be  in  charge  of  the  leaders. 
If  there  are  those  among  the  members  callable  of  leading 
meetings,  they  may  be  chosen  to  do  so. 

Sec.  4.  The  pastor  or  leaders  shall  use  a  part  of  the 
hour  of  the  weekly  meeting,  when  deemed  best,  for 
special  instruction  in  Bible  truth,  or  for  other  i^rofitable 
exercises. 

article  VIII. 

Relationship. 

This  society  shall  be  considered  a  department  of  the 
church  with  which  it  is  connected.  It  shall  also  sustain 
a  close  and  intimate  relation  to  the  young  people's  soci- 
ety of  the  church,  with  which  the  members  of  this  junior 
society  are  exj^ected  to  connect  themselves  when  they 
have  reached  the  age  limit. 

^See  Triple  Pledge,  p.  50. 


APPENDIX  63 

BY-LAWS. 

Section  1.  The  regular  meetings  or  this  society  shall 
be  held  ou  Simday  afternoon  of  each  week.  ^  The  last 
meeting  of  each  mouth  shall  be  a  recognition  meeting. 
The  business  meeting  shall  be  held  in  connection  with 
the  first  meeting  of  each  mouth. 

Sec.  2.  The  leaders,  in  consultation  with  the  pastor, 
shall  at  each  election  i^ropose  names  of  available  mem- 
bers for  the  several  offices,  who  shall  be  elected  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  members  present.  The  officers  shall 
be  elected  and  the  conunittees  appointed  for  a  term  of 

six  months,  and  shall  enter  upon  their  duties  the 

dliy  of and  the day  of of  each 

year. 

Sec.  3.  The  funds  for  the  expenses  of  the  society  and 
other  purposes  shall  be  raised  by  collections  taken  at  the 
monthly  recognition  meetings,  and  at  other  meetings  as 
the  leaders  may  arrange. 

Sec.  4.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  may  be  called 
at  any  time  by  the  pastor  or  leaders. 

Sec.  5.  The  committees  should  hold  a  meeting  with 
the  leaders  once  a  month  for  consultation  about  their 
work. 

Sec.  6.  Other  committees  may  be  appointed  at  any 
time  as  they  may  be  needed. 

Sec.  7.  This  constitution  and  by-laws  may  be  amended 
at  any  regular  meeting  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
executive  committee. 

*  Or  at  the  discretion  of  the  pastor  and  leaders.  In  country 
churches  and  during  the  heated  term,  in  summer,  it  may  not  be 
practicable  to  hold  weekly  meetings. 


BX9878.6.D79 

Our  Catechism  :  a  manual  of  Christian 

,..^!'.'/'.".^°"  Theological  Seminary- Speer  Library 


1    1012  00045  7137 


